By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A massive wildfire at the North Carolina coast in Brunswick County has exploded in size and is only about half contained on Saturday, a day after the blaze broke out, officials said.
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There were several roads closed near Shallotte on Saturday as crews continued fighting the fire that grew from 300 acres on Friday evening to 500 acres around noon Saturday, the North Carolina Forestry Service said around 1 p.m. Saturday.
The first alert from Brunswick County around 8:15 p.m. Friday said fire broke out near Old Georgetown Road and Hale Swamp Road, just north of Ocean Isle Beach and west of Shallotte.
“Due to extreme heat, dry conditions and gusty winds, fire behavior is erratic,” the N.C. Forest Service warned on Saturday.
The Brunswick County fire scene. Photo courtesy: Stephanie Taylor Johnson 
The Brunswick County fire scene. Photo courtesy: Stephanie Taylor Johnson 
The Brunswick County fire scene. Photo courtesy: Stephanie Taylor Johnson 
The Brunswick County fire scene. Photo courtesy: Town of Shallotte 
The Brunswick County fire scene. Photo courtesy: Stephanie Taylor Johnson 
The Brunswick County fire scene. Photo courtesy: Stephanie Taylor Johnson 
Navassa Volunteer Fire Department – Station19
The areas of Shallotte, St. James and Boiling Springs Lake are likely to have smoke from the fire on Saturday.
The Bricklanding area has southbound traffic completely closed at the roundabout just outside Shallotte. Todd Road is also closed northbound from Bricklanding to Village Point Road, Shallotte officials said.
Crews are using helicopters to dump water on the fire and N.C. Forest Service planes are also active in the area.
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There were several reports of the wildfire jumping over roads overnight — along with one developing on Saturday morning.
“Firefighting personnel are addressing a spot fire that occurred this morning,” the N.C. Forest Service said.
The N.C. Forest Service and the Tri-Beach Fire Department are both managing the fire resources.
Other agencies assisting in firefighting efforts include Wilmington, Winnabow, Supply, New Hanover, and Horry County near Myrtle Beach.
“The public is reminded that firefighting engines and equipment are working and moving in the fire area,” officials said.
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