UPDATE: Tyrrell County “Last Resort” wildfire still 0% contained

TYRRELL COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Dozens of emergency responders are dealing with a several thousand-acre wildfire here in the East.

John Cook with the North Carolina Forest Service said that the 4,500 acre fire is 0% contained as of 3:30 P.M. Saturday.

Cook said that the blaze started Friday on private land then moved onto Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge near Lake Phelps in Tyrrell County.

Around 40 people are fighting the fire, but more are coming in with an incident management team,

Burnout operations are taking place between Icabod and J. Canal Road.

Private landowners and farmers have been impacted by the fire.

Cook noted there will be significant smoke production because fires like this tend to burn down into the organic peat soil.

An incident management team will take over on Sunday.

There are no injuries and no structures in the path of the fire at this time.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.