Update on Evans Road Fire July 5, 2008
Incident: Evans Road Wildland Fire
Released: 7/5/2008
· After a day of active fire on Friday, firefighters were aided by higher relative humidity, cloud cover and light spotty showers over the fire area. "We've had a good day and made some progress," said Operations Chief John Nichols.
· The fire now covers a total of 41,534 acres. Peat soil continues to burn down to an average depth of three feet.
· Firefighting efforts continue to be supported by many organizations. The Northside High School has provided facilities for the firefighters' morning briefings, meal preparations and laundry services. The North Carolina Baptist Men Disaster Relief Team volunteers have provided meal preparation and laundry services for fire crews. Local volunteers from the community have also assisted with these efforts. Cisco Systems Inc. has provided telephone and internet connections for the Incident Command Center. The community of Ponzer has assisted with fire services, including donating the use of their community center as the Incident Command Post for fire operations.
· Forty-one wildland fire engines are assigned to the fire today. These trucks are used by firefighters to patrol the perimeter of the fire to detect and suppress hot spots and flare-ups as they occur.
· Caution is advised while driving as smoke can reduce visibility on highways. Smoke advisories may be found at: www.weather.gov/mhx. A map of forecast smoke impact areas can be found at www.ncair.org/news/pr/2008/smoke warning.shtml .
· A burning ban remains in effect for Hyde, Washington, Tyrrell and Beaufort counties and other counties in southeastern North Carolina.
For additional information on the fire visit the Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge web site at: http://www.fws.gov/pocosinlakes
Resources on the Fire
326 personnel, 14 tractor/plow units, 4 water tenders; 41 engines & 4 helicopters.
Cooperators
Florida Division of Forestry, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Mississippi Forestry Commission, South Carolina Forestry Commission, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Virginia Department of Forestry, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Hyde, Tyrrell & Washington County Emergency Management; NC Division of Emergency Management; National Weather Service; DOT, Hyde County; Hyde County Sheriff's Office; NC Division of Parks and Recreation; NC Division of Water Quality; NCWRC, Division of Wildlife Management; NC Division of Air Quality, NC Highway Patrol; NC Office of State Fire Marshal; USDA-Forest Service; Cisco Systems; local volunteer fire departments.
Plans for Tomorrow
Pumping will continue to reinforce containment lines. Rehabilitation work has begun and will continue according to the plan developed by NCDFR and USFWS.
