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Lukens Island Fire in Carteret County is now fully contained

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published January 6, 2026 at 6:48 AM EST
N.C. Forest Service

The Lukens Island Fire in Carteret County is now fully contained, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.

The fire began last Thursday on private land east of Horton Bay and grew to 370 acres before being brought under control by 3:40 p.m. Monday.

Officials say the fire was caused by a debris burn, and challenging terrain made firefighting efforts more difficult.

No injuries were reported, but three buildings and a home were threatened earlier in the incident.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston