The Nation - News from May 13, 1986

Firefighters using aircraft, tractors and shovels inched closer to containing a 14-mile-long blaze that has consumed 75,000 acres in its weeklong, erratic path through swampy southeastern North Carolina. As 75 fresh firefighters were brought in, officials hoped that steady winds would keep the flames away from populated areas to the north. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated, but only two buildings have been destroyed. “The fire didn’t spread,” said Bob Grady of the state Forest Service. “I would expect they should be able to contain it tomorrow,” he said.