Whipping Creek Fire Near Coast Spreads
Whipping Creek fire spreading. The fire that started Monday afternoon in Hyde County near the NC coast has now spread to over 14,000 acres. The size of the fire Monday night covered about 200 acres but over the last few days dry and windy conditions have caused the fire to spread. It is reported that the large fire is only 15% contained. Rain is in the forecast Friday and Saturday but speculation is it may not be enough to help control or help put out the fire.
The Whipping Creek fire as it is being referred to is located in both Hyde and Dare counties. US 264 has been shut down for about 30 miles near the Dare County line due to fire, smoke and unsafe conditions. This closure is between Engelhard and Stumpy Point along US 264.
The fire is burning in an area that is undeveloped so no houses, communities or people are in danger. But there is some danger to area wildlife. Portions of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, the Dare Bombing Range, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission game land and land managed by The Nature Conservancy have been burned.
It may take several more days before US 264 in the area can be reopened fire officials report. A detour has been setup to reroute travelers. The detour sends drivers onto northbound N.C. 94 to Columbia, then east on U.S. 64. Drivers on U.S. 64 should head south on N.C. 94 to return to U.S. 264 east of Swan Quarter. Locals with the proper identification are allowed past the road blocks.
