COLUMBIA, N.C. -- The massive wildfire in and around a wildlife refuge in eastern North Carolina is only one of three blazes being fought in the state and officials are blaming the persistent drought.

 

     

Officials said Tuesday that the wildfire near Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is 75 percent contained and has burned 41,543 acres. The fire was started June 1 with a lightning strike.

     

State officials said there also is an 826-acre fire in Bladen County that was reported Sunday and is 25 percent contained. A fire that started in April in Pender County burned 2,000 acres and is contained.

     

The state Division of Forest Resources said the fires are harder to control because of drought in those areas.

     

Officials said the fires have outstripped the state average of 20,000 acres burned each year.