L. Freeman was asking for an update on the Pains Bay Fire, and it has been a while since I updated our Wildfire Today readers on the status of this fire that has been burning since May 5 in a swamp on the North Carolina coast, mostly in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. As far as I know, the fire has not made any spectacular runs in the last week or so. It can take weeks or months to put out a fire in a drought-affected swamp, so firefighters could be in for a long haul.
But I received these recent photos, and could not resist posting them here. They are the first photos I’ve seen of a Type 1 helicopter dipping out of a canal adjacent to a road.
Helicopters with external loads are not supposed to overfly people, so that is one reason the road is closed to the public. That and the firefighters and equipment that are working along the road.
The following information came from Bonnie W. Strawser, Visitor Services Manager, Alligator River/Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges:
=====================
Current Status:
- The acreage of the fire is 25,678 acres and has not increased. This includes an estimated 3711 acres of smoldering peat ground fire.
- Location – Approximately 19 miles south of Manns Harbor, NC
- Warmer, dryer weather continues to hamper control efforts.
- Water is being pumped from canals onto the edges of the burned area, utilizing various types of pumps and sprinklers.
- Containment held steady at 80 percent today. Crews and tractor plow units continue to strengthen existing containment lines.
- Road Closure – US 264 remains closed between Stumpy Point and Engelhard. A large number of engines are working on the roadway to extinguish ground fire. Specialized irrigation equipment and helicopters are operating in close proximity to the roadway. Fire officials determined that these operations created a safety hazard to both firefighters and the public requiring closure of the road. Completing this work along US 264 remains a high priority so that the road can be opened as soon as possible. Attached photos show current operations along US 264 as of 4:00 PM, May 19.
- Flight Restrictions – A Temporary Flight Restriction (#2182) remains in effect
- Date fire started – May 5, 2011 at 3:00 PM
- All fire is located on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service) and the Dare County Range (Department of Defense, US Air Force).
Resources on the Fire:
- 188 personnel
- 11 tractor/plow units and flex-tracks
- 13 type 6 engines.
- Aircraft – 3 helicopters – One Type 1 Sikorsky and 2 Type 3 Bell 206 helicopters
When it opens, will be with a lead car escort.
Local news media are reporting that US 264 (the “southern loop” from Raleigh to Roanoke Island) will be opened mid-day hours starting today. They say to expect half-hour wait times while the road is confirmed clear and that the road may be closed again at any time for heavy helicopter operations. There has been no mention of US 64 (the “northern loop” so it may be assumed that 64 is open, as usual.
Here is the official announcement from the Incident Management Team. It was issued Sunday evening:
===============
“U.S. Hwy. 264 to re-open for limited public travel
Fire officials on the Pains Bay Fire near Stumpy Point in Dare County, NC have determined that roadway conditions are now safe enough to re-open the highway beginning at 10:00AM, Monday, May 23 for limited public travel during daylight hours. The 12 mile section of US 264 between Stumpy Point and Engelhard was closed on May 6 due to concerns for public safety.
Pilot car escorted travel on US 264 will begin at 10:00 AM, Monday morning. Initially, travel will be limited to 10:00AM- 7:00PM daily. Fire officials plan to extend the hours of travel in coming days as smoke along the roadway subsides. Drivers should expect up to 30 minutes wait at check points.
Fire officials warn the traveling public that delays may be necessary at times due to heavy smoke on the highway or fire suppression activities. Firefighters on the Pains Bay Fire have recently encountered extremely heavy smoke, called super fog, which makes visibility near zero. Super fog is formed when smoke combines with fog to produce fog that is much more dense than commonly seen.”
Some pictures of the smokey conditions 15 miles north of the fire area. Yet another reason why aggressive suppression actions are underway.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.227968537219841.77106.117366861613343
The fire is immediately adjacent to over 100 homes in the community of Stumpy Point. If the fire were to smolder until a wind event occurred, it could advance through miles of pocosin, easily jumping control lines, until it reached and burned the town of Manns Harbor.
There is also a military bombing range which would have to be idled (again).
While the fire may not be actively threatening any structures or improvements, can you argue that mopping up isn’t an important task?
Educate me on this fire. It is in the “hands” of mother nature. Only after a prolong wetting rain will the Pains Bay fire be put to rest. Are there structures or improvements threatened? What is the risk to value factor? Is the loss of one billion Mosquitos worth the expense and safety of personnel?