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

BLACK SWAMP ROAD CLOSED:  Fire suppression through the use of water pumping operations along Black Swamp Road within the fire footprint will involve numerous types of equipment and personnel. To ensure firefighter and public safety the Black Swamp Road will remain closed to the public by barricades. 

High pressure remained in control through Saturday. A moderate sea breeze crossed the burn site Saturday afternoon with light and variable winds becoming South behind the sea breeze front. More unsettled conditions could arrive today, and continue at times through the coming week. Temperatures today are expected to reach 80 degrees with higher humidity, light winds, and small chance of rain. 

Acreage: 32,400 acres; Containment: 70%; Personnel and Equipment: 204 total personnel; 2 helicopters, 11 engines, 2 Type-2 and 5 Type-3 tractor plow units, 2 track-mounted engines and 2 ambulances.  

Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor for heat sources today. Planned flooding is continuing to raise the water-table and rehydrate the organic soils affecting about 1,000 acres of the fire.  Pumps and equipment are being set up along Black Swamp Road today to begin additional planned flooding operations in part of the western section of the fire. Smoke dried needles falling pine trees continues to accumulate in the fire area. Crews continue to patrol and extinguish flames where hidden heat sources are revealed by igniting the needles. Two specially equipped track-mounted engines have arrived and will begin patrolling for hotspots. They will be able to maneuver further into the fire burn interior to reach and mop-up any hotspots revealed by smoke. 

Air quality: Information on current air quality data for North Carolina is at https://www.airnow.gov/.   

Closures: The road closures on Forest Service Road 203 (Holston Creek Road) remains in effect.  Black Swamp Road is closed due to fire suppression equipment and personnel working along the road.   

Updates to road closures surrounding the fire are at https://drivenc.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/Firwise-USA  

Donations: Those interested in donating to firefighters, please consider assisting your local fire departments and /or the Wildland Firefighter Foundation https://wffoundation.org