Crews contain multi-acre wildfire in New Hanover County

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A wildfire that ignited in the Porters Neck area Saturday afternoon is finally under control, according to NC Forest Service (NCFS).

On Sunday morning, NCFS ground crews say the fire was approximately 17 acres.

They worked throughout the day and said the fire is now 100% contained as of Sunday evening, with some residual smoldering of hot spots within the interior.

NCFS says the wildfire backed up to the Cameron Trace housing community off Murrayville Road.

Crews on full tracks worked to suppress these pockets of ground fire to ensure they would not rekindle or spot elsewhere, according to NCFS.

At end of shift Sunday, most personnel on the fire will demobilize, leaving a few personnel and equipment in place Monday to continue monitoring and to extinguish any remaining hot spots.

The chance of rain for the week will help to further control the fire as well.

Lingering smoke may exist overnight but will be light and isolated to the immediate perimeter of the fire imprint.

NC Forest Service officials urge the public to reconsider burning yard debris due to an abundance of dry conditions.

The cause of this wildfire is under investigation.

With spring fire season in full swing, wildfires are more likely to occur due to the leaf-out of vegetation and leaf litter that remains on the ground from the fall and winter seasons. Ground fire is a major concern in southeastern North Carolina because of heavy organic soils that can catch fire and smolder underground for as long as there is fuel to support it.