By Richard Stradling
The News & Observer
Raleigh, N.C. — State and federal officials warn of a heightened risk of wildfires in North Carolina now and in the coming weeks, as the relatively dry weather so far this spring is expected to continue.
Both the U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service said late Monday that they were responding to multiple wildfires across the state. On Tuesday, a forest fire in the Alligator River Wildlife National Refuge forced the closure of U.S. 264 between Stumpy Point and Englehard in Hyde County, according to the state Department of Transportation. Through traffic is being detoured onto N.C. 94 between Columbia and Lake Mattamuskeet.
The two forest agencies say April typically marks the height of wildfire season in the state and that forests are especially vulnerable to fires this year because of limited rainfall in March and April. The latest map from the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council classifies most of the Piedmont as “abnormally dry.”
The agencies say nearly all wildfires are caused by humans, with the largest number coming from the burning of debris. They urge people not to light campfires or burn yard waste during periods of low humidity or high winds.
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