Single Publication

NEW BERN, N.C., May 2, 2025 – The Black Swamp Fire remains at 950 acres and 60% contained as suppression efforts continue in the Croatan National Forest. 

Personnel from five agencies—USDA Forest Service, North Carolina Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission and the National Park Service—are working together on the incident, with more than 80 responders assigned. 

Infrared mapping tools used by helicopter pilots show underground heat within containment lines. Several internal pockets of flames flared up and were quickly extinguished by helicopter bucket drops. Firefighters are flooding the smoldering organic material using a system of canals, pumps and sprinklers. Crews are exercising extra caution as they carefully monitor and mop up to ensure that flames do not jump containment lines. 

Firefighters responded to another fire south of Havelock, North Carolina, off Highway 70, on Forest Service land. The fire spread to the western side of the train tracks, but thanks to quick response actions, initial attack was able to contain the Train Tracks Fire at 2 acres and will work to completely extinguish the fire while suppression efforts continue on the Black Swamp Fire. 

Closures remain in effect for Black Swamp Road, the Black Swamp OHV area, Great Lake Boating Access Area and Sheep Ridge Wilderness Area, as well as portions of Great Lake Road, Seaborn Road and Holston Hunter Road. 

Smoke from the fire can cause limited visibility and may impact local air quality. Please drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check for air quality alerts at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov.

For the latest wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina.