Crews monitor fire lines near Leland neighborhoods

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A wildfire that forced many to evacuate yesterday in the Leland area is contained, but crews are still securing the scene.

The North Carolina Forest Service is checking the perimeter, making sure there is no chance of something igniting again. This comes after people were asked to evacuate their homes as flames tore through the area near Highway 74/76.

Officials say gusty winds contributed to the fire spreading to nearby neighborhoods. Bill Walker of the Forest Service says they want to stay on top of this situation.

“We want to keep a presence in the area to make sure everyone know that we are continuing to monitor the fire,” Walker said. “If something bad happens we are going to be here.”

Officials say about 100 homes were evacuated. Carol Jenkins was one of the evacuees.

“Everybody was real afraid,” Jenkins said. “The family was afraid they wouldn’t be able to go move back home.”

No one was hurt and property damage was minimal.

“Just the right conditions took off it just had a lot of room to run and build up steam and that’s what it did,” Walker said.

The fire is still under investigation.