Smoke from N.C. brush fire closes U.S. 264

Firefighters from local, county, state and federal entities are battling a brush fire that started at about 4 p.m. today at the Dare County shooting range between Manns Harbor and Stumpy Point, said Dare County Fire Marshal Doug Remaley.

Thick smoke and reduced visibility from the blaze caused officials to close U.S 264 about three miles south of Manns Harbor, according to a statement from Dare County.

Karen Kraft, an Outer Banks Gun Club staff member, said at about 5 p.m. that the fire was started accidentally when someone tried to burn some trash on the range.

“There was no wind, and as soon as he set the fire - naturally - the wind kicked up,” she said. ”They’ve almost got it out, thankfully.”

The gun club operates the range, which is adjacent to the county’s landfill, Kraft said.