N.C. wildfire likely to smolder for months, Forest Service warns

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, N.C.

A wildfire that has burned more than 31,000 acres in eastern North Carolina may smolder for months as it burns decayed vegetation that makes up the soil in the area, North Carolina Forest Service spokesman Bill Swartley said Saturday.

The fire, about 40 percent contained, continues to burn in the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, about 70 miles south of Norfolk. The spread of the fire that has covered 46 square miles slowed over the past few days, and winds remain light.

The fire continues to threaten about 80 homes and businesses. No injuries or structure damage have been reported.

Swartley warned that temperatures near 100 degrees this weekend are keeping conditions ripe for the blaze.

"When the fire comes near, the vegetation is that much more ignitable because they are already warm," Swartley said.

Hannah Thompson, a forest service spokeswoman, said fighting the blaze has cost more than $673,000 so far.

Gov. Mike Easley has declared a state of emergency in Washington, Hyde and Tyrrell counties.

He warned that driving could be difficult with smoke-filled roads, but officials said none was expected to be closed.

For the past few days, smoke from the fire has blown north into heavily populated areas along Virginia's coast. But the winds have shifted, and forecasters expected the smoke to blow east toward the Outer Banks.

Fire officials told residents that smoke from the blaze could linger in the area for months because the fire may smolder in the decayed vegetation that makes up the peat-filled soil. Peat is flammable and over millions of years turns into coal, Swartley said.

"You won't see open flame," Swartley said. "The ground is just really hot - you can't walk on it."

The only way to stop the fire from burning in the soil is to flood it. Firefighters are pumping water from nearby Phelps Lake to extinguish the ground fire in some areas. However, the only thing that will put all of it out for good would be several inches of rain at one time, such as from a tropical storm, Swartley said.

The fire was sparked by lightning a week ago.

Virginian-Pilot staff writer Cindy Clayton contributed to this report.