You wake up, grab your coffee, and see the headlines. Smoke. Sirens. Another emergency. Honestly, it’s been a rough start to 2026 for North Carolina first responders. If you’ve heard chatter about a big fire in N.C. today, you’re likely thinking of the chaotic scene that unfolded in Bolivia, right in the heart of Brunswick County.
It wasn't a forest fire this time. It was a high-stakes structure fire at the Brunswick County Government Center.
Just before midnight on Saturday, January 17, and stretching into the early hours of Sunday, January 18, fire crews were scrambled to Building C. When they arrived, the situation looked grim. Heavy smoke was pouring out of the garage section. Inside that bay? An ambulance was fully engulfed in flames.
The Scene at Building C
Firefighting is basically a race against the clock. When the Bolivia Volunteer Fire Department pulled up, they weren't just fighting a vehicle fire; they were trying to save a critical piece of infrastructure that houses the Emergency Operations Center.
Think about that. The very place meant to manage disasters was the one on fire.
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The heat was intense. One ambulance was completely totaled—basically a charred skeleton of a vehicle. However, because the response was so fast, the damage didn't spread as far as it could have. Firefighters from Stations 4, 6, 13, 18, and 37 all showed up to help. It was a massive mutual aid effort.
What We Know (And Don't Know)
Whenever there’s a big fire in N.C. today, the first question is always: "Was anyone hurt?"
Thankfully, the answer is no. No injuries were reported among staff or the firefighters who ran into that smoke-filled garage.
As for the cause? That's still a mystery. Fire marshals and investigators are currently sifting through the remains of the ambulance bay to figure out if it was a mechanical failure in the vehicle or something electrical in the building.
Here is the current breakdown of the damage:
- One ambulance totaled: This wasn't one of the brand-new models from the Fall 2025 fleet, which is a small silver lining for the county budget.
- Structural integrity: The building is still standing. Engineers have deemed the garage, office spaces, and the Emergency Operations Center structurally sound.
- Nearby vehicles: Three other ambulances and two quick response vehicles were in the same garage. Somehow, they escaped without a scratch.
The Bigger Picture: North Carolina's Fire Danger
While the Brunswick County incident is the main "structure fire" news, the rest of the state is sitting on a powder keg. If you look at the N.C. Forest Service data for January 2026, the numbers are actually a bit startling.
Basically, we’ve had over 600 wildfires already this month.
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On January 18, the fire danger rating across much of the state fluctuated between "Moderate" and "High." We’ve got this weird mix of dry, crunchy winter grass and gusty northwest winds hitting 40 mph. It’s the perfect recipe for a small brush fire to turn into a headline-grabbing monster.
Honestly, the state is lucky we haven't seen a repeat of the massive mountain fires from years past. But the N.C. Forest Service isn't taking chances. Red Flag Warnings have been popping up like clockwork because the relative humidity is dipping as low as 22%.
Why This Matters for You
You might think a fire in a government garage doesn't affect your daily life. But when an ambulance burns, it’s a hit to the county's emergency capacity.
Brunswick County EMS was quick to put out a statement today. They’re assuring everyone that despite losing a vehicle, they still have a robust fleet. They’ve got stations spread out countywide, so if you call 911, someone is still coming.
But it’s a reminder. These services are stretched thin. Between the structure fires in towns like Albemarle and Rowan County—where a tragic mobile home fire took a life just a couple of days ago—and the constant threat of brush fires, our local crews are working overtime.
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What You Should Do Right Now
Stay informed. If you live in an area with a "High" fire danger rating today, keep the grill off and skip the backyard debris burning. Most of the wildfires we’re seeing in N.C. right now are caused by "careless debris burning." It only takes one spark and a 30-mph gust.
Next steps for residents:
- Check the Fire Danger Map: Before doing any outdoor work, look at the N.C. Climate Office's daily fire danger ratings.
- Clear Defensible Space: If you live near wooded areas (the Wildland-Urban Interface), clear the dead leaves away from your porch and out of your gutters.
- Yield to Sirens: With high activity today, keep your ears open for emergency vehicles. Give them the room they need to move.
Cleanup at the Brunswick County Government Center is starting tomorrow. Restoration contractors are already being lined up to scrub the soot off the walls and get those undamaged ambulances back into a clean environment. It could have been much worse, but for today, the focus is on recovery and figuring out how that fire started in the first place.