ONSLOW COUNTY, NC— UPDATE (4:45PM) Southbound lanes of Highway 17 are open to traffic.  The NC Highway Patrol will be escorting traffic in alternating patterns through that region.  Onslow County Emergency Services Director Norman Bryson said crews are “getting the fire under control, but we are closely watching shifting weather patterns as the wind remains our main concern at the moment.”  Bryson confirmed there has been no loss of life nor any structures harmed by the woods fire; the evacuation remains in place.

Responding agencies include:  Camp Lejeune Fire Department, Holly Ridge Police Department, Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), Holly Ridge VFD, the NC Highway Patrol, Nine Mile VFD, NC Forestry Service, North Topsail VFD, Pender County Fire & EMS, Pender County Emergency Management, Onslow County Emergency Services, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Turkey Creek VFD.

ORGINIAL RELEASE (4:00PM) - Onslow County Emergency Services confirms houses are being evacuated due to a woods fire.  According to Norman Bryson, Emergency Services Director, houses are being evacuated in the area of Old Folkstone Road within a quarter mile of the intersection of Highway 17.  Evacuees are being sent to the Sneads Ferry Branch Library located at 1330 Highway 210 in Sneads Ferry, NC.  Bryson confirmed the woods fire began at approximately 3:00 p.m. in that area.  Highway 17 is shut down in all directions from Old Folkstone Road to the Town of Holly Ridge.  Crews are on the scene battling the fire; details are limited at this time.  Onslow County Communications will bring you updates as they become available.