The Rose Bay Canal Fire burning in Hyde County is currently 618 acres in size and 24% contained. The increase in size is the result of successful strategic firing operations carried out by firefighters Tuesday, June 9. A strategic firing operation is a carefully planned tactic where firefighters intentionally and precisely burn vegetative fuels to eliminate what a wildfire can burn.Increased cloud cover, light winds and good overnight recovery for relative humidity moderated fire behavior during today’s operational period.
Press Releases
WHO/WHAT: The North Carolina Sentinel Landscape Committee will hold a meeting to hear committee member reports and conduct other Sentinel Landscape business. WHEN: Tuesday, June 16 at 1:30 p.m.WHERE: Hall of Fame Room, Agriculture Building, 2 W. Edenton St., Raleigh.The public may also join the meeting via conference number 984-204-1487. The conference ID is 255 597 652, followed by the # key.
The Rose Bay Canal Fire burning in Hyde County is currently 455 acres in size and 20% contained. The fire was first reported Tuesday, June 2, and firefighting crews quickly worked to establish containment lines around the fire’s perimeter. However, the presence of deep, organic pocosin soil combined with dry, receptive fuels poses a challenge for responding resources and containment efforts. Minimal spotting led to an increase in acres burned over the weekend, but engaged aerial and ground resources have been successful in catching the fire and limiting its spread.
The N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) is launching a new Disaster Mitigation Program (DMP) to help reduce heightened wildfire risk in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. The DMP will provide wildfire risk reduction treatments at no cost to eligible private and public landowners in 39 federally declared disaster counties. Designed to address hazardous fuel buildup, fallen timber and reduced access, the DMP aims to lower the risk of catastrophic wildfire impacts to homes, infrastructure and natural resources.
RALEIGH – Thirty-three North Carolina students have been selected recipients of 2026 N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarships, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced. The scholarships are designed for high school seniors and students currently enrolled in an institute of higher education who have participated in the junior livestock or market turkey shows at the N.C. State Fair. The scholarship program has awarded $677,500 since it started in 2015.
CHARLOTTE – Fresh-picked flavor, sweet summer treats and family fun come together at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market for Blueberry Day on Sunday, May 31, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Visitors can enjoy free blueberry samples, kid-friendly activities and a variety of blueberry-inspired desserts from market bakers while shopping for fresh, local products from North Carolina farmers and vendors.
RALEIGH – North Carolina farmers know how to build strong relationships at the farmers market, in the field and throughout their communities. Now, a new webinar from the Got to Be NC program will help agricultural producers take those connections online.The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in partnership with Tabletop Media Group, will host the webinar, “From Field to LinkedIn: How Farmers Can Build Professional Connections Online,” on Tuesday, June 2, at 5:30 p.m.
Thirteen budding student artists were recently chosen as winners in the annual Farm to School Calendar Contest, sponsored by the North Carolina Grange. Each month depicts the art of a student and represents a different commodity. The calendar also includes daily facts about agriculture, giving students an understanding of agriculture's role in food production.
RALEIGH – The application period for farmers and timber owners to apply for the $221 million USDA block grant for certain Hurricane Helene ag and timber losses will be extended to June 12 for all four loss categories. The previous deadline for three of the four categories was May 15. To learn more about applying, eligible farmers and landowners will find information and instructions at www.ncagr.gov/agdisaster.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation staff and stakeholders from across the state gathered in Raleigh Wednesday to hig