The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

April 14, 2009

Four different brush fires since April 4

T. J. ROYAL

Although Edgecombe County and most of Eastern North Carolina is out of drought conditions thanks to heavy March rainfall, the possibility of a brush fire is ever present.

North Carolina Forest Service Ranger Kamm Bunting said there have been four different brush fires in Edgecombe County since April 4, the latest of which was Friday afternoon in the Conetoe area.

Bunting said that Conetoe Volunteer Fire Department was the first to respond to that 2:30 p.m. fire, with assistance from South Edgecombe Volunteer Fire Department as well as the Princeville Volunteer Fire Department.

He said it took around an hour to contain the blaze, which started as a resident's brush pile fire but ended up charring seven acres and threatening one residence on Mildred Church Road, near Ellis Road.

There was "pretty bad smoke" from that fire, making it appear to be worse than it was, with only "one (residence) that was particularly threatened," Bunting said.

And the latest batch of fires have come after 7.7 inches of rain was dumped in Tarboro during the month of March, according to the National Weather Service.

The 12 inches of rainfall for Tarboro so far this year is "around average" for April, said National Weather Service meteorologist Barrett Smith.

That recent rainfall has brought much of Eastern North Carolina, including Edgecombe, out of the moderate to severe drought conditions it had experienced throughout the summers of 2007 and 2008, according to the United States Drought Monitor.

But even with the soaking, beneficial rainfall, Bunting said the gusty wind conditions, with gusts up to 30 mph, and low humidity Friday contributed to the fire break out that broke out in Conetoe.

He said that two other fires occurred in Edgecombe County on Thursday, near Saw Mill Road in the West Edgecombe area and near the Daniel Street Extension area in Tarboro. The other fire occurred April 4 in Conetoe near Chinquapin Road.

Edgecombe County Fire Marshal Butch Beach was relieved that the fire Friday was put out so quickly by the three volunteer fire departments that responded to the call.

"It was one of those careless moments that liked to got some houses burned down," Beach added.

Beach noted that sometimes, county firefighters are "standing in water (while) fighting fire," because of small limbs, dry pine needles and leaves fueling fires not long after a rain event.

He noted that it is only legal to burn leaves and limbs that are on the property, adding that "carelessness always gets us in trouble" when it comes to burning.

Bunting added that Edgecombe County residents need to remain "smart" about their burning habits, even with the recent rainfall that has helped the area.

Text Only
Local News
  • DAR Micajah Pettaway Chapter sees fashions and styles of Jackie Kennedy Onasis

    The DAR Micajah Pettaway Chapter met 11:00 a. m., Thursday, May 17 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.  After Frankie Powell, First Vice Regent, welcomed everyone, she introduced new members Mary Ann Crawford, Angela Urquhart and prospective member Jaiann Rains from Rocky Mount.

    May 24, 2012

  • Civitas Poll: Parents primed for school reform

    If legislators listen to their constituents, school reform in North Carolina will happen.
    In a new poll released Wednesday by the Civitas Institute, results indicate that by large margins North Carolinians support a wide range of school reforms now before the state legislature.

    May 24, 2012

  • Edgecombe health stats spiral down

    In 2011, there were 12,164 premature deaths in Edgecombe County, according to a 2012 report compiled by County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.
    In the same report, it was noted that 1,167 county citizens were treated for a sexually transmitted infection. In the same report, North Carolina averaged 445 and the national benchmark was 84.

    May 24, 2012

  • Americans will remember fallen Monday

    On Monday, Americans honor the fallen men and women who have served our country through the military with the annual observance of Memorial Day.

    May 24, 2012

  • CORRECTION

    In a story titled “School board approves Roberson revisions” that appeared in the Thursday, May 17 edition, there were numerous errors. The story was written about the May 14 meeting of the Edgecombe County School Board.

    May 23, 2012

  • historic tarboro.JPG Hoard’s work still benefiting Tarboro

    Ten months after former Tarboro Town Councilman Steve Hoard passed away, his work on behalf of the town is still paying dividends.
    The North Carolina Department of Transportation has erected large signs on U.S. 64 bypass reading  "Tarboro Historic District Exit 485." Hoard, with the agreement of the council, spearheaded the push for the signs. The signs are the trademark brown color that designates a historic location.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Vidant champion.JPG Vidant Edgecombe names Turner ‘Champion of the Year’

    Ms. Billie Turner, a cashier and server in Edgecombe Vidant’s nutrition services department, has been named as the 2012 Champion of the Year at the hospital.
    During a reception in her honor, Turner was awarded a bouquet of flowers, a monetary gift and a special recognition plaque.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • U.S. 64 Princeville exit closed until July

    The North Carolina Department of Transportation has closed the U.S. 64 East exit that leads into Princeville after an accident damaged the overpass. The exit designator is Exit 486.

    May 23, 2012

  • South Edge.jpg Community members mentor South Edgecombe students

    Male students and South Edgecombe Middle School have the opportunity to be mentored by local community members through the Boys to Men program.
    Charlie Cobb, Robert Williams and Thomas Williams have taken the time to meet with students who are targeted as “at-risk” each Thursday.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • (USE FRONT) One To Go.jpg Tractor pull again a success

    PINETOPS – The 36th annual Pinetops 300 Tractor and Truck Pull was just as big as the previous events on Friday and Saturday night. There was standing room only both nights. Everyone got their monies worth on Saturday night during the last event.

    May 21, 2012 3 Photos