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PLEASE BE AWARE: Wildland fire engines and equipment continue to be on roads in the fire area and on US Hwy 70 between Havelock and New Bern. Please use caution when driving near them.

Weather: Expect dry conditions and lower relative humidity of 35-40% and easterly winds of 10-15 mph by early to mid afternoon today.  Chance of showers returns on Tuesday.

Acreage: 32,400 acres; Containment: 90%; Personnel and Equipment: 164 total personnel; 1 helicopter, 7 engines, 2 water tenders, 2 Type-2 and 5 Type-3 tractor plow units, 2 drones, 2 track-mounted engines and 1 ambulance.

Yesterday: Crews monitored fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern and mopped up any close to the fireline. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire, and additional piping and pumping continued.

Today: Aviation and ground resources will continue to monitor fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern. Mop up operations with engines, crews, and heavy equipment continue on the north end and southwest portion of the fire. Work on contingency lines on the north side continues. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire in the southeastern portion of the fire continue and pumps will continue to flood areas in the south and southeast portion. Preparations of piping and placement of pumps are complete and flooding of areas in the southwest portion of the fire have commenced and will continue.

Highlighting Fire Effects on the Ecosystem:  Fireline qualified Resource Advisors have been working with firefighters to protect Cultural Resources in the fire area.

• Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place effective May 9, 2023 from 6 AM to 2 PM local time, and altitude from the surface up to and including 1000 feet, daily until further notice, to allow for safe operations of the drone equipped to detect heat sources. Complete information is at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_2893.html
• Closures: Forest Service Road 203 (Holston Creek Road) and Black Swamp Road remain closed due to fire equipment and operations. Updates to road closures surrounding the fire are at https://drivenc.gov/.   
• Air quality: Information on current air quality data for North Carolina is at https://www.airnow.gov/.  
• Firewise: Information on preparing your home and property to reduce the risk from fire can be found at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA
• Donations: Those interested in donating to firefighters, please consider assisting your local fire departments and /or the Wildland Firefighter Foundation https://wffoundation.org