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.
Photo by Amanda Thompson
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.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
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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