North Carolina Road Conditions

Crews Battle Juniper Road Wildfire

The North Carolina Forest Service continues to try and get the Juniper Road fire in Pender and Onslow counties under control. As of Saturday evening, the fire is 20% contained and approximately 21,336 acres have been consumed by the wildfire.

The State of Emergency remains in effect. According to Onslow County Emergency Services Planning Officer Stacie Miles, "Onslow County firefighters are providing structural protection assessment and monitoring. We anticipate that they will retain this status over the next few days unless there are significant weather changes."

There has been no damage to structures or injuries as a result of fires in Onslow County.

An air quality alert has been issued in the area due to the smoke from the wildfires.

Individuals with respiratory conditions are urged to avoid physical activities outdoors while everyone else should avoid or reduce prolonged or heavy exertion in outdoor activities.

Motorists are reminded to use caution when traveling through the affected areas.

Previous Story:

The North Carolina Forest Service is trying to get the Juniper Road fire in Pender and Onslow counties under control. Friday it was 10% percent contained. Fire officials say very dense smoke is expected from the Juniper Road fire over the weekend.

One of the difficulties crews are running into is water supply. Officials say the maps the North Carolina Forest Service uses to find water isn't accurate because of the drought conditions so a scout plane is helping. Ground crews are also helping scout for water. Trucks are loading 150 to 200 gallons of water at a time to put out the fire. As far as the 2100 homes in Holly Ridge that could be threatened by this fire, officials say they are still working with local fire departments and emergency management to spread to word to home owners on how to keep their property safe.

"It's usually not a wall of flame but a burning ember that lands on a bush or something and starts a bush fire that leads to the house. So you want to reduce those fuels around your home the best you can," said Bruce Haines with NC Forest Resources.

2 homeowners who live just a few miles from the fire says they feel helpless because fir trucks can't make it down the sandy narrow road they live off of. They say the state won't help because of legal issues. So one of the homeowners is using hi own water pump to soak his property with water from a nearby pond.

Pender-Onslow Wildfire Updates | Beach Carolina Magazine

Pender-Onslow Wildfire Updates

(Onslow County) Onslow County volunteer firefighters are assisting with efforts to contain wildfires situated on the Onslow County-Pender County line. Firefighters from Turkey Creek, Rhodestown, Piney Green, Back Swamp, Pumpkin Center, Swansboro, Bear Creek, and White Oak, as well as units from Duplin County are on scene supporting the North Carolina State Forestry Service to suppress the wildfires which began Saturday in the Holly Shelter Game Preserve. Recent reports from N.C. Forestry indicated that more than 18,000 acres in Onslow and Pender Counties have been consumed by the fires.

Residents in Onslow County living in the vicinity of Highway 50 (from Padgett Road to Shepard Road) were notified of a voluntary evacuation issued for the area on Wednesday, June 22. The American Red Cross has also opened a shelter at Southwest Middle School located at 3000 Furia Road off of Highway 53.

According to Onslow County Emergency Services Deputy Director, Norman Bryson stated, “Firefighters are coordinating efforts in the area of Highway 50, establishing structural protection task force teams. Although no structures are in immediate danger, emergency responders are monitoring the situation closely to respond to any change in conditions. At present, there has been no damage to structures or injuries as a result of the fires in Onslow County.”

Officials indicated that the fire is currently expanding in a circular pattern from a central location; moving at approximately ¼ mile per hour. Residents across Onslow County will continue to see dense smoke and ash which can pose hazardous driving conditions as a result of reduced visibility. Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when traveling through the affected areas. In addition, an air quality advisory has been issued for many counties including Onslow in eastern North Carolina. Prolonged activity outdoors should be avoided especially for those with respiratory conditions.

For more information, please contact Onslow County Emergency Services at 910-347-4270.

Road Biking North Carolina

Scenic driving North Carolina

Proceedings of the Good Roads Institute, held at the University of North Carolina

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Mountains, Including Asheville, Biltmore Estate, Cherokee, and the Blue Ridge Parkway

Some facts and figures about North Carolina and her natural resources