NC fire update

Here is an update on the Evans Road fire in North Carolina from InciWeb:

As of Saturday afternoon, the Evans Road Fire had grown to 30,809 acres in size. The fire continues to progress farther east and southeast into the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Field observers noted the fire making short runs and also observed torching and short-range spotting. The fire is now 40% contained; however, 25 miles of containment lines still need to be constructed or improved. Firefighters are constructing containment lines and conducting burn out operations. Local fire departments and volunteer fire departments continue to support structure protection. The Phelps Lake water pumping operation to extinguish smoldering ground fires is well underway and will soon be a 24/7 operation. With 210 personnel now assigned to the incident, firefighting suppression costs are estimated to be $673,686.

A State of Emergency was declared yesterday for Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington Counties. Additionally, a state-implemented burn ban is now in effect for Hyde, Tyrrell, Beaufort and Washington Counties.

The map shows heat detected by satellites last night.


Update:
The size of the fire is now at 32,556 acres, according to the Incident Management Team.