Local News
Wildfire contained, not out
A large wildfire consuming more than 40,000 acres at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge has cost $18 million to fight, state forestry officials said Thursday.
Posted — UpdatedRALEIGH, N.C. — A large wildfire consuming more than 40,000 acres at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is completely contained but not out, state forestry officials said Thursday.
A lightning strike sparked the conflagration on June 1. Since then the fire, also referred to as the Evans Road Fire, has burned 40,704 acres and cost $18 million.
Some hotspots still remain inside the fire line, District Forester Ed Christopher said.
More than 2 billion gallons of water have been used on the fire so far, Christopher said. The water caused some ground flooding, mostly to private property.
Fifteen firefighters remain assigned to the fire to work on erosion and sedimentation control.
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