Durham brush fire was accident

Authorities said Thursday that the cause of a brush fire that burned 31 acres in northwest Durham Wednesday afternoon was accidental.

Posted 7:56 p.m. Aug 4, 2011 — Updated 7:56 p.m. Aug 4, 2011

DURHAM, N.C. — Authorities said Thursday that the cause of a brush fire that burned 31 acres in northwest Durham Wednesday afternoon was accidental.

The fire charred wooded areas near Cole Mill Road and Berini Drive, off Interstate 85. No injuries or evacuations were reported.

Durham firefighters and crews with the North Carolina Forest Service used a plow to cut a line around the fire and then set small fires to help the fire burn itself out.

“We were very fortunate to have been notified of this fire as early as we were, and we urge anyone who sees any continuous live flame in the future to immediately call 911,” Durham Fire Chief Bruce Pagan said in a statement. “Without significant rainfall, those (who) are nearby this area will probably continue to smell smoke for up to a week until the N.C. Forest Service can completely extinguish the hot spots and lingering smolder.”

Firefighters remained in the area until Thursday afternoon to monitor hotspots, and Forest Service workers and equipment planned to continue checking the area, Pagan said.

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