HAMLET — Fire and forestry crews have contained a wildfire that burned multiple acres near the South Carolina state line.
The N.C. Forest Service was called to the fire just after 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 18 after a landowner — who thought the fire might be on his land — saw the column of smoke rising above the treetops, according to County Ranger Brandon Van Buren.
The fire burned around 30 acres in the tract between Ghio and Slade Douglas roads, and Airport Road and N.C. 38.
The ranger said hardwood litter usually doesn’t burn that well, but low relative humidity in recent days contributed to the fire spreading quickly.
The Hamlet Fire Department and East Rockingham Volunteer Fire Department were called as NCFS bulldozers worked to contain the blaze. There was also aid from above, with one plane serving as a scout and another dousing the flames.
Crews were called back out around 10 p.m. Monday night to check on it.
Van Buren said the fire looks to have been intentionally set, not from natural causes or an accidental spread, but the cause is still under investigation.
According to the N.C. Forest Service, that fire was one of 10 in District 3 that burned 9.7 acres on Monday. It appears the Richmond County fire was not included in that figure. District 3 also includes Anson, Chatham, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Scotland and Stanly counties.
In total, 59 wildfires burned 53.4 acres on private and state-owned land across North Carolina that day. Of the 218 fires so far for the month, 120 were March 12-13.
N.C. Forest Service records indicate there have been 38 reported wildfires in Richmond County since Jan. 1.
NOTE: This story was updated to add a clarification sentence. 4:42 p.m. 3-19-24
