A wildfire burning in Duplin County near Rose Hill has grown to 600 acres and sits at 20 percent containment as of Thursday, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.
The fire broke out Wednesday afternoon near Pope Road and Corinth Church Road, just outside Rose Hill, according to Rose Hill Fire Chief Billy Wilson. High winds, low humidity, and shifting wind directions allowed the flames to spread quickly during the early hours of the blaze.
As a precaution, residents along Pope Road, Corinth Church Road, and Earl Davis Road were told to evacuate Wednesday evening. Duplin County Fire Marshal Matthew Barwick said the evacuation order was not mandatory. Many residents stayed with family or friends, while the Rose Hill Fire Department opened its station to serve as a temporary shelter for those displaced.
Rain moved through the area Wednesday night, helping cut down on smoke and giving firefighters a better chance to slow the fire’s spread. Despite the rainfall, Barwick cautioned that the risk of the fire spreading further remains high.
Residents were allowed to return home Thursday, though officials continue to urge caution and ask people to stay alert for updates. At least one road in the area remained closed Thursday morning.
Community Response and Firefighter Efforts
Duplin County resident Frank Smith said the fire caught him completely off guard and left him frightened, unsure at first how serious the situation might become.
Rose Hill resident Nick Matthews described watching a helicopter land in his yard on Wednesday, which was used to fly a firefighter out to locate a water source.
Matthews said the fire came within roughly a quarter mile of his home before the rain arrived and helped turn things around. He also praised the volunteer firefighters who worked without pay to protect homes and livestock in the area.
Multiple Agencies Continue to Battle the Blaze
The response has involved a wide range of agencies working together. Fire departments from Rose Hill, Teachey, Northeast, Kenansville, Greenevers, Wallace, Harrells, and Magnolia have all responded, along with Pender County Emergency Services and the North Carolina Forest Service.
Duplin County EMS, the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, Rose Hill Police Department, and Duplin County Animal Control have also assisted.
Officials confirmed that no structures have been damaged and no injuries have been reported so far. Crews say they will keep working in the coming days to fully contain the fire and manage lingering smoke in the area. The North Carolina Forest Service is expected to remain on scene to monitor hot spots until the threat has passed completely.
