Controlled burns getting out of control this Sunday
By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
EAST ROCKINGHAM — Volunteer firefighters from East Rockingham and Cordova, as well as from the North Carolina Forest Service, responded early Sunday afternoon to a report of a controlled burn that no longer was under control.
Steady winds took advantage of dry conditions that helped the blaze get away from a man burning within a small circle outside his home on Stokes Road, located south of Mizpah Road. Fire officials said it was a “red flag” day and discouraged outdoor fires. The emergency call for help was reported at 1:39 p.m.
“Too windy and too dry,” said Bill Bayless, assistant fire chief at East Rockingham.
Earl Graves with the Forest Service used a bulldozer to create a fire line between the blaze and a wooded area. The fire consumed one small outdoor structure and damaged another.
Less than two hours later, Forest Service personnel, along with volunteers from Hoffman Fire Department and Scotland County firefighters responded to a report of an outdoor fire that endangered a structure.
And at 4:28 p.m. the Forest Service and Cordova volunteers were again called out to an outdoor fire, this time on Old Cheraw Highway.
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