The primary objective for the N.C. Forest Service Incident Management Team is public and firefighter safety.
PLEASE BE AWARE: Wildland fire engines and large equipment continue to be on roads in the fire area and traveling to and from assignments. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and stay alert, particularly in times where rain reduces visibility.
Acreage: 1,331 acres | Containment: 83%
On Saturday, firefighters continued mop-up operations in areas where yesterday’s drone flight indicated lingering hot spots. Dozers and heavy equipment were used to knock down berms, particularly in and around the Partridge Road area where hot spots remain abundant. The southern tip of the fire also continues to be a critical operations area. Areas around the fire deemed contained were being closely monitored and patrolled by firefighters utilizing UTVs. Due to the onset of heavy rain and hazardous driving conditions around the area of the fire Sunday morning, crews are currently staging until conditions improve and operations can resume safely. Containment has increased to 83%. The fire remains within the 1,331-acre footprint.
The Sunset Road Fire is burning in Boiling Spring Lakes in Brunswick County. The fire began Friday, May 2. No homes have been destroyed.
Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters. Mop-up is an operational term in which fire crews identify any areas with lingering smoke or heat and douse them with abundant water and use fire tools or heavy equipment to break apart built-up and smoldering vegetation.
Weather: A cold front will stall south of the area, maintaining unsettled weather near the coast through Sunday (5/11). An area of low pressure develops over the Southeast early next week, leading to an extended period of rainy conditions. Southeast winds of 5 to 7 mph are forecast for today, with gusty and erratic winds expected near thunderstorms.
Temporary Flight Restriction: A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 3,000 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_8047. Flying drones within a TFR designated area is unlawful. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts. The public is reminded to keep drones away from wildfires.