Brunswick County fire update: 283 acres burned, fire 65% contained near Shallotte
SHALLOTTE, NC (WWAY) — Firefighters continue making progress on the Quarry Road Fire in Brunswick County, with the wildfire now 65% contained as crews work to extinguish lingering hot spots.
According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the wildfire has burned 283 acres since it began on Friday, July 10, after a lightning strike ignited dry organic soils beneath the surface.
Wildland firefighting personnel continue conducting mop-up operations, a labor-intensive phase of wildfire suppression focused on preventing the fire from reigniting outside containment lines. Crews locate remaining hot spots, expose them to mineral soil and fully extinguish burning debris to strengthen containment.
The North Carolina Forest Service, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and North Carolina State Parks all have personnel assigned to the incident.
Officials say fire behavior has remained minimal, with only ground fire and isolated active flames observed in recent operational periods. Light, variable winds and the possibility of pop-up thunderstorms continue to influence firefighting efforts.
There are currently no homes or structures threatened by the wildfire.
Fire officials previously determined the blaze was sparked by a lightning strike that ignited organic soils beneath the ground — conditions made worse by ongoing drought across southeastern North Carolina.
Alan Matthews, Cape Fear area ranger with the North Carolina Forest Service, previously explained that lightning can ignite underground layers of organic material that continue smoldering long after the initial strike. “Because of those organic soils, lightning will strike a tree and will start burning underground in those organics,” Matthews said. “This prolonged drought that we’ve been in has made those soils very receptive for fire, making them burn longer and hotter.”
The dry organic soils, which Matthews compared to dry coffee grounds, contain very little moisture, allowing fires to smolder underground for days or even weeks without significant rainfall.
While recent rain has helped reduce fire activity, crews continue working to eliminate remaining heat within the burn area before the fire can be declared fully contained.
As of Thursday morning, the Quarry Road Fire remains active at 283 acres with 65% containment, according to the North Carolina Forest Service’s Wildfire Public Viewer.
Residents can continue tracking the latest wildfire information through the North Carolina Forest Service’s online Wildfire Public Viewer.
