A wildfire burning near Shallotte known as the Quarry Road Fire has already chewed through an estimated 400–500 acres and is holding at roughly 50 percent containment, officials said Saturday. The blaze, first reported Friday, has pulled in state and local crews on the ground and in the air as firefighters battle not just flames but extreme heat and gusty winds.
According to Brunswick County, the Quarry Road Fire started Friday in the Shallotte area, with the N.C. Forest Service and Tri-Beach Volunteer Fire Department operating in unified command. Multiple personnel and pieces of equipment remain committed to the incident. The county reports that N.C. Forest Service aircraft are backing up ground crews, while the Office of the State Fire Marshal and several local departments provide incident support. As of Saturday afternoon, officials estimated the fire at roughly 400–500 acres with containment near 50 percent.
Fire behavior has been described as erratic, driven by extreme heat, dry fuels and gusty winds that complicate suppression efforts and throw off spot fires ahead of the main front. The National Weather Service in Wilmington flagged both extreme-heat and fire-weather concerns for the coastal region, and the N.C. Forest Service wildfire viewer currently shows active operations in the Shallotte area. Those conditions mean aircraft drops and ground tactics have to be carefully coordinated and limited to places where it is safe for crews to work.
Smoke, closures and evacuations
Brunswick County officials warn that smoke from the Quarry Road Fire may affect the communities of Shallotte, St. James and Boiling Spring Lakes. Drivers are urged to steer clear of the area whenever possible so fire personnel and equipment can move around safely. For the most current information on evacuation notices and road closures, residents are being directed to local emergency-management channels and county alert systems.
No-fly zone and the law
Authorities are also reminding the public that wildfire zones are legally no-drone areas. Flying an unmanned aircraft within 3,000 feet of a forest fire is prohibited and can bring criminal penalties. That restriction and the associated penalties are spelled out in N.C. General Statute G.S. 15A‑300.4, which allows for seizure of the drone, fines and other sanctions for anyone who decides to test their luck over an active fire.
Crews chasing spot fires
On Saturday, firefighters were working to corral a spot fire and strengthen containment lines around the broader perimeter. According to N.C. Emergency Management's post and local responders, Tri-Beach Volunteer Fire Department and state forestry crews remained on scene while neighboring departments provided mutual aid to keep the fire from gaining new ground.
Where to get updates
Officials are sharing real-time information through county communication channels and the N.C. Forest Service wildfire viewer, which serves as a live map of fire activity. The state wildfire viewer and Brunswick County alerts will carry the most up-to-date operational details as crews work to reinforce and expand those containment lines.
