Home / Disasters and Accidents / Brunswick Wildfire Burns 300 Acres, Threatens Homes
Brunswick Wildfire Burns 300 Acres, Threatens Homes
11 Jul
Summary
- Wildfire near Ocean Isle Beach reached 300 acres.
- Fire threatens homes and destroyed multiple buildings.
- Brunswick County faces drought, water restrictions, and burn ban.
A wildfire ignited near Old Georgetown Road and Hale Swamp Road in Brunswick County, North Carolina, continued to burn on Saturday, July 11. By 10 a.m. that day, the fire had spread to an estimated 300 acres and was 60% contained. The North Carolina Forest Service was actively working to establish containment lines.
Heavy smoke from the blaze significantly impacted visibility in the area, prompting advisories for drivers to avoid the vicinity to ensure the safety of fire personnel and first responders. During firefighting efforts, one firefighter sustained minor injuries and received on-site treatment.
The wildfire has had a destructive impact, threatening numerous homes and resulting in the loss of a commercial self-storage building, a residential storage building, and various commercial work trucks and heavy equipment. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the N.C. Forest Service.
Evacuation orders were issued to some homes directly by law enforcement. While a temporary shelter was opened at the BSRI Brunswick Center at Shallotte, it remained empty and was subsequently closed, though it remains on standby. Brunswick County is also under stage 3 mandatory water restrictions and a burn ban in unincorporated areas due to severe drought.
