A 35,000-acre wildfire is burning in the vast Croatan National Forest, prompting ash to fall like snow in parts of eastern North Carolina.
The fire is centered near Great Lake and heavy smoke and orange skies were reported in cities more than 60 miles away. The forest is about 135 miles southeast of Raleigh.
U.S. Forest Service officials report the blaze was 10% contained as of 6 p.m. Friday, April 21.
“The public should be aware of the potential for smoke in the area and drive with caution,” the service said in an April 21 news release.
Seventy personnel were battling the fire Friday, and more firefighters are on the way, the U.S. Forest Service reports.
The blaze was discovered around 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, and had grown to 7,000 acres as of Friday morning.
Wind gusts of up to 20 mph contributed to the fire spreading, and resulted in ash “coming down almost like snow” in surrounding communities, WITN reported.
Some cities issued warnings that residents should cover their face if working outdoors Friday. Winds are pushing much of the smoke to the south.
“This fire is causing the dark, smoky skies overhead as well as the falling ash,” No. 7 Township Fire Rescue in James City wrote on Facebook. “We stand ready to assist with mutual aid, but wanted to inform our residents of the incident as well as worsening air quality conditions outside.”
A cause and point of origin in the pine forest have not been released.
An 90% chance of rain forecast Saturday night could provide firefighters with needed help over the weekend.
Croatan National Forest covers 160,000 acres and is home to rare carnivorous plants like the Venus fly-trap, sunder and pitcher plant, officials say. It is remote — bordered on three sides by rivers and the Bogue Sound — and is considered “the only true coastal forest in the East,” officials say.
