The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

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June 25, 2012

Croatan fire creates local need for Code Yellow alert

Editor and Publisher John H. Walker

TARBORO — Officials of the North Carolina Division of Air Quality continue to have Edgecombe County in a Code Yellow condition, meaning moderate air quality as a result of what is being called Dad’s Fire in the Croatan National Forest.

The fire, which started as a controlled burn 11 days ago, has burned more than 21,300 acres — although officials now say it is 70 percent contained.

Last week, the smell of smoke from the first was in the air in the area and, in fact, could be smelled as far away as the Hampton Roads, Va. area.

Air Quality monitors were well above the norms last week, but the forecast for today and Tuesday is a moderate reading of 58 — just eight points out of the good range.

A Code Orange warning has been issued for residents of  Carteret, Craven, Onslow, Jones and Pamlico counties, which means the conditions are unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The fire burning in the Croatan National Forest created dense smoke that has impacted traffic on U.S. Highways 17, 58 and 70 and has prompted the state’s Department of Transportation to keep smoke and dense fog advisories active.

Officials say the dense smoke and extremely moist air could combine to create what they called a “super fog” capable of reducing visibilities to near zero.

Efforts to contain the fire, which is in an area where the soil is filled with peat and other organic materials, has now moved to the digging of a system of canals and keeping them filled with water to prevent the fire’s spread.

 

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Nathan Sherrod (left) and his twin brother Melvin, of Tarboro, enjoy a carnival ride Saturday afternoon at the Happening on the Common. Abrams Rentals provided the rides.

  • HAPPENING ON THE COMMON

    Tarboro’s Town Common was clearly the center of activity in town Saturday,  with cars lining the streets surrounding the common, music that could be heard from blocks away, and a sea of people navigating their way through the vendors’ tables under a canopy of trees. The occasion was the 43rd Annual Happening on the Common.

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Local News
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Tony Everett, of Wake Forest, backs his Chevrolet truck named DoeRunner up as he prepares to pull in the four wheel drive event Friday night.

  • Pinetops 300

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Opinion
  • My 13 years have been lucky

    It was 13 years Sunday that a drought was broken in Big Spring, Texas, After that, we ate Mexican for dinner with a gathering of family and friends.
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    May 20, 2013

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  • 5246-WED-Corbett.jpg Corbett/Chasse Wedding

    Brittney Joyce Corbett and Kenneth Robert Chasse, Jr. were united in marriage on April 6th, 2013, at 5:30pm at the Imperial Centre in Rocky Mount. The Rev. Carrol Bradbury officiated the ceremony.
    The Rehearsal Dinner was hosted by Shirley and Donald Foreman, Grandparents of the Groom and also Elisha and Kenneth Chasse, Parents of the Groom, at Pizza Inn in Rocky Mount.
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Obituaries Archives
  • MATTIE RUTH BULLOCK

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    May 19, 2013

  • CLAYTON JERELL EPPS
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Food
Events
  • Edgecombe Events May 20

    Edgecombe Events should be submitted by noon the day before publication. Items eligible include notices of local meetings and activities of non-profit organizations, clubs, schools and civic groups in the community. Information should be brief and typewritten, neatly printed or via e-mail. Questions? 823-3106 or e-mail: events@dailysoutherner.com. Leave  a daytime contact phone number.

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Tarboro's 2012 Christmas Parade


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