A debris burn ignited a 17-acre wildfire in the Plain View community on Independence Day, prompting a large, multi-agency response and renewing warnings from local officials for residents to exercise caution with outdoor burning as drought conditions persist across the region.
The fire was reported around 6 p.m. Saturday at 1983 Savannah Hill Road near Dunn in the Plain View area of Sampson County. According to Sampson County Emergency Management Director Joshua Deaver, the fire was determined to have started when someone was burning trash and debris.
Sampson County Ranger Jake Moore with the North Carolina Forest Service recalled that firefighters arrived quickly after the blaze was reported, helping prevent it from spreading even farther.
“Judging by the fire behavior, I don’t think the fire had been burning much longer than that,” Moore explained. “I’m assuming it had only burned about 10 to 15 minutes before the fire department had gotten there.”
Moore credited local volunteer firefighters for their rapid response.
“Our fire departments are very fast with their responses,” he attested.
The wildfire ultimately burned approximately 17 acres before crews brought it under control. The North Carolina Forest Service remained on scene until about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, ensuring the fire was fully extinguished.
Moore indicated the Forest Service completed its investigation shortly after the incident but declined to discuss whether the person responsible could face any action, citing agency policy regarding fire investigations.
“I can’t disclose that,” Moore stated.
Responding agencies included the Plain View, Spivey’s Corner, Newton Grove, Clement, Vann Crossroads, Godwin-Falcon, Dunn and Meadow fire departments, along with Sampson County EMS, Harnett County EMS, the North Carolina Forest Service, the Sampson County Fire Marshal’s Office, the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
House fire
The July 4 wildfire was followed less than 24 hours later by another significant blaze in the county, this one destroying a home new Newton Grove.
Deaver reported that fire departments responded to a house fire on Jones Pond Lane on Sunday, July 5. Although the home was declared a total loss, no injuries were reported. Like the wildfire, the Sunday blaze, he said, was blamed on burning debris.
He added that emergency crews have responded to numerous fires caused by debris burning over the past several weeks, underscoring the heightened fire danger throughout Sampson County.
Despite the recent incidents, no burn ban is currently in effect. However, officials stressed that the region remains extremely dry and urged residents to carefully consider weather conditions before burning outdoors.
“There is for sure,” Moore said about the prolonged dry weather increasing the risk associated with outdoor burning and fireworks. “I would hope that people could look around and see that we are extremely dry, and everybody hears about the drought that we’re in. A little afternoon rainstorm is not going to alleviate that anytime soon.”
While Moore would not comment on whether fireworks played any role in the Plain View wildfire, he encouraged residents to use sound judgment whenever open flames or other potential ignition sources are involved.
Deaver likewise encouraged residents not to mistake the absence of a burn ban as an indication that conditions are safe.
“Residents should use extreme caution when burning,” Deaver advised. “They should also remember that the North Carolina Fire Code requires outside fires be constantly attended and an adequate means of extinguishing the fire should be readily available.”
Moore encouraged residents to monitor weather conditions and reach out to local emergency officials with questions before conducting outdoor burns.
“Always monitor the weather,” he said. “If you have any questions, you can call any of the fire departments, call the Forest Service or your county emergency management. We’ll be more than happy to help.”
He added that cooperation between emergency responders and the public remains essential, particularly during periods of elevated wildfire risk.
“Any bit of help that we can get is always appreciated,” Moore remarked. “Between the citizens, the fire departments and the county emergency services, it creates a pretty good team.”