As of Aug. 6, 2026, the Quarry Road Fire in Shallotte is 283 acres in size and 100% contained. Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters.
The fire was reported Friday, July 10. N.C. Forest Service investigators determined the cause of the fire to be a lightning strike. Lightning activity occurred in the area May 28, 2026, resulting in a “holdover” fire that ignited and smoldered in the duff, undetected until weather and fuel conditions aligned. Lightning holdover fires are wildfires that can remain dormant, like a ‘sleeper,’ typically smoldering underground, not presenting flames.
With the prolonged drought and lack of wetting rainfall, lightning ignition efficiency is enhanced. This means there is a greater probability that cloud-to-ground lightning strikes ignite a wildfire. Extreme high temperatures and heavier fuel dryness are contributors, especially in areas of large dead and deep duff dryness. What is duff? Duff is the layer of decomposing organic materials above the mineral soil but just beneath the litter layer of twigs, needles and leaves. It is “ground fuel” for wildfire. Because this duff is more tightly packed and has less oxygen than surface litter, duff typically smolders instead of flaming. When it’s wet, it’s not as receptive to fire. When it dries out, it can burn underground, smoldering, slowly spreading without flames for days, even weeks.
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