News Release

National Park Service seeks information on human-caused fires at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Photo of one of the two wooded areas impacted by a human-caused fire at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.

NPS

News Release Date: April 14, 2024

Contact: Mike Barber, 252-475-9032

MANTEO, N.C. — National Park Service law enforcement rangers responded this morning to a report of two wildfires adjacent to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site’s Freedom Trail. Both fires were safely extinguished and pose no risk to public safety.

Since the fires are suspected of being human caused, the National Park Service is asking the public for information that could help determine who may have started these fires. If you have information to share with law enforcement rangers, contact 252-473-2111.

Additional details:

• At 9:02 a.m. this morning, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office notified the National Park Service that two separate wildfires were occurring at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.

• National Park Service law enforcement rangers, the Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department, Dare County Sheriff’s Office, Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Carolina Forest Service, responded to the incidents.

• The fires occurred in the woods adjacent to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site’s Freedom Trail.

• 0.07 and 0.06 acres were damaged before the two fires were extinguished by the Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Park Service appreciates the quick responses to the fires.