Driving Creek Fire in Green Swamp Preserve of Brunswick County 100% contained
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Posted May 17, 2022
GREEN SWAMP PRESERVE – As of 8:30 a.m., the Driving Creek Fire is 598 acres in size and is 100% contained. The Green Swamp Preserve received considerable rain with the passing storms on Monday evening aiding in full containment of the fire.
“Fire personnel were able to heavily reinforce containment lines around the fire over the weekend,” said Deputy Incident Commander John Cook. “The rain event last night helped tremendously with putting this fire out for good.”
On Tuesday, May 17, the wildfire incident transitioned to local forest service response units and was placed under monitor status. The trails at The Nature Conservancy’s Green Swamp Preserve remain closed.
“Our fire personnel and staff from The Nature Conservancy have worked the firelines daily since the fire began and we’re glad the collaborative effort between the Conservancy and the Forest Service knocked this fire out quickly,” added Cook.
The Driving Creek Fire started Sunday, May 8 in difficult terrain six miles north of Supply along Highway 211. Initial investigation indicates the fire was caused by a lightning strike associated with weekend storms. Full investigation of the cause of the fire is ongoing.
The Conservancy will update its Facebook (facebook.com/TNCNC) and Instagram (tnc_nc) accounts when the trails reopen.
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Media Inquiries
Philip Jackson, Public Information Officer
N.C. Forest Service
919-857-4828
Trails at The Nature Conservancy’s Green Swamp Preserve Remain Closed to the Public
Efforts Continue to Extinguish Wildfire
Posted May 16, 2022
DURHAM – Trails at The Nature Conservancy’s Green Swamp Preserve in Brunswick County are closed because of an ongoing wildfire. It is unlikely that the trails will reopen this week because efforts are still underway to extinguish the fire, which was the result of a lightning strike on May 8.
“We know people love to walk in the Green Swamp,” said Deborah Maurer, who is director of the Conservancy’s Southeastern North Carolina office. “But the fire poses a potential risk for visitors. And visitors could also hamper our efforts to put this fire out.”
The Conservancy will update its Facebook (facebook.com/TNCNC) and Instagram (tnc_nc) accounts when the trails reopen.
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Contact
Debbie Crane
dcrane@tnc.org; (919) 619-8613
The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina
Driving Creek Fire in Green Swamp Preserve of Brunswick County at 75% containment
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Posted May 12, 2022
GREEN SWAMP PRESERVE – As of 11:07 a.m., the Driving Creek Fire is 597.83 acres in size and is 75% contained. Personnel from the N.C. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy continue to work on the fire. The Highway 211 corridor between Bolton and Supply which was initially closed for the safety of motorists and fire personnel has reopened to all traffic as of Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters are working to improve and maintain existing control lines around the fire and closely monitor the fire area imprint. With light rain impacting the area, firefighters will repair equipment, resupply and rest over the next 48 hours. Firefighters will return Sunday to assess the impacts of rainfall using drones and infrared heat-sensing technology. This practice will also enable firefighters to determine where hotspots remain under the soil’s surface which can cause the fire to reignite. Complete containment of the wildfire remains a challenge due to the difficult terrain, organic soils and heavy fuels.
Anticipated higher relative humidity values along with precipitation events will help hold the fire perimeter over the next two days. Sunday’s predicted weather conditions offer potential for increased fire behavior and movement. Smoke may continue to cause air quality issues around the area of the fire. Driving conditions along Highway 211 may be impacted through the weekend. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time for their travels through the area with the continued potential for smoke lingering near the Green Swamp Preserve.
The N.C. Forest Service continues to use aerial operations to assist with suppression and monitoring efforts. The public is reminded to keep drones away from wildfires. While drones provide unique opportunities for aerial video and imagery of wildfire activity, they are unauthorized. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of N.C. Forest Service pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts. Individuals in violation of this law will be subject to civil penalties, fines and criminal prosecution. It’s important to remember that if you fly, we can’t.
The Driving Creek Fire started Sunday, May 8 in difficult terrain six miles north of Supply along Highway 211. Initial investigation indicates the fire was caused by a lightning strike associated with weekend storms. A full investigation will be conducted at a later time.
Brunswick County residents can track updates by following local media. To learn more about the unauthorized use of drones, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/uas/if-you-fly.
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Media Inquiries
Philip Jackson, Public Information Officer
N.C. Forest Service
919-857-4828
Driving Creek Fire in Green Swamp Preserve of Brunswick County at 20% containment
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Posted May 10, 2022
GREEN SWAMP PRESERVE – As of 11:26 a.m., the Driving Creek Fire is 568 acres in size and is 20% contained. Personnel from the N.C. Forest Service and the Nature Conservancy are responding to the fire. To ensure the safety of responders and travelers, Highway 211 has been closed from the Highway 214 intersection in Bolton to the Highway 17 intersection in Supply until further notice. Citizens and travelers will need to find alternate routes. The N.C. Department of Transportation has placed detour signs in the area to help direct travelers. At this time, no structures or homes are being threatened.
Containment of the wildfire is a challenge due to the difficult terrain, organic soils, heavy fuels and windy conditions. Citizens can expect significant smoke impacts. The N.C. Forest Service is using aerial operations to assist with firefighting and suppression efforts. The public is reminded to keep drones away from wildfires. While drones provide unique opportunities for aerial video and imagery of wildfire activity, they are unauthorized. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of N.C. Forest Service pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts. Individuals in violation of this law will be subject to civil penalties, fines and criminal prosecution. It’s important to remember that if you fly, we can’t.
N.C. Forest Service resources responding to the incident include a strike team, tractor plow units, four fixed-wing aircraft, a helicopter and ground crews.
The Driving Creek Fire started Sunday, May 8 in difficult terrain six miles north of Supply along Highway 211. Initial investigation indicates the fire was caused by a lightning strike associated with weekend storms. A full investigation will be conducted at a later time.
Brunswick County citizens can track updates by following local media. To learn more about the unauthorized use of drones, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/uas/if-you-fly.
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Media Inquiries
Philip Jackson, Public Information Officer
N.C. Forest Service
919-857-4828
NCDOT: Fire Closes N.C. 211 in Brunswick County
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Posted May 10, 2022
SHALLOTTE – For the safety of drivers and first responders, a portion of N.C. 211 in Brunswick County will remain closed until a brush fire is under control.
The N.C. Department of Transportation along with emergency responders have closed the highway near U.S 17. At this time, it is uncertain how long N.C. 211 will need to remain closed to traffic.
The detour travels into Columbus County, and is as follows: U.S. 17, N.C. 130, U.S. 701 Business, U.S. 74/76 to return to N.C. 211.
NCDOT urges drivers to take the detour into account when planning travel and avoid N.C. 211 in the area.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
Media Contact
Lauren Haviland
Lbhaviland@ncdot.gov
(919) 707-2677