Crews closer to containing fire at NC Marine base

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Authorities say crews are closer to containing a wildfire that has scorched more than 14 square miles at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune.

The state Division of Forest Services said in a news release Saturday that the fire was 40 percent contained and that cool, damp weather was aiding the firefighting effort.

Investigators are still working to confirm what started the fire. Marines at the military post had been doing training exercises with weapons the day the fire started, but officials have not confirmed that as the cause.

The Forest Service Division says firefighters hope to have the blaze extinguished in the next few days.

Some residents had been evacuated but have since returned home. No private buildings were reported damaged, though some minor damage was reported to military structures.