Heavy smoke could be seen coming from two small brush fires near West Pine schools Monday. The call came in around 12:45 p.m.
When emergency crews arrived, the fires was burning on the railroad tracks and the surrounding woods along Highway 211 between Mary Road and Archie Road in West End. At no time were the students in the West Pine schools in danger.
One lane of the highway was shut down in the eastbound direction.
Responding units were West End Fire, Rescue and Seven Lakes Fire and Rescue, Moore County Sheriff’s Department, and N.C. Forest Service.
Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits for Moore County and the following 25 North Carolina counties: Anson, Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland and Wayne.
The burning ban goes into effect at noon Monday, May 24, and will remain in effect until further notice.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Patrick Priest.
