MANTEO, N.C. (AP) — High winds and low humidity have fanned the flames of a wildfire at a North Carolina wildlife refuge to more than 15,000 acres.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge spokeswoman Bonnie W. Strawser says the fire is burning primarily on refuge lands but has spread to the Dare Range where the North Carolina Forest Service has responsibility for battling the blaze.
Residents of Stumpy Point have been contacted by Dare County Emergency Management to determine what special needs they have in case an evacuation is ordered.
Firefighters are creating firebreaks and doing their own controlled burning ahead of the wildfire to try to take away its fuel.
The fire started Thursday mostly likely from a lightning strike.
