Wildfire hot spots continue

Raleigh, N.C. — Despite receiving several days of rain this week, isolated hot spots and heat sources continue to exist at the site of a large wildfire that consumed more than 40,000 acres, state forestry officials said Saturday.

The fire has burned for the past eight weeks at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. A lightning strike sparked the conflagration on June 1.

On Saturday firefighters with infrared imaging equipment conducted a flight over the fire. Firefighters spotted the hot spots. Multiple smoke plums were also reported and mapped.

Firefighters will continue to flood hot spots and heat sources that have been pinpointed by infrared imagery, officials said.

The fire, also referred as the Evans Road Fire, is 75 percent contained and has consumed 40,704 acres.