A wildfire broke out in Hyde County Monday afternoon and has since burned through 9,600 acres as of Wednesday, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

That number is expected to continue climbing into Thursday.

Two small fires were first spotted Monday near the Hyde County and Dare County line around U.S. Highway 264. The flames spread rapidly due to low humidity and windy conditions, according to USFWS. Dubbed the Whipping Creek Fire, officials estimate the blaze is at 30-percent containment.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire was quickly spreading to the south along U.S. 264, as well as continuing its path eastward from Tuesday. The areas affected include N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission game lands, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Air Force property and the Nature Conservancy, according to USFWS.

An Incident Management Team headed up by Commanders Robert Smith, of N.C. Forest Service, and Tom Ledbette, of USFWS, took over operations Wednesday at 6 p.m., according to a press release.

Because of low visibility due to smoke, the state Department of Transportation elected to close portions of U.S. 264 for safety reasons, diverting drivers to N.C. Highway 94 toward Columbia and eastward on U.S. Highway 64.

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, USFWS estimated there was roughly 30 miles of U.S. 264 blocked off.

There were no immediate threats to communities and no evacuations in place as of Wednesday afternoon. However, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality issued an advisory for air pollution as smoke from the wildfires drifts downwind. Wednesday and Thursday, depending on wind direction, residents from Elizabeth City to Washington, New Bern and Havelock could experience unhealthy air quality.

Though the state does not have an air quality monitor close to either fire, measurements registered very unhealthy air pollution levels in smoke directly downwind of wildfires. The primary pollutant of concern is fine particles, which are extremely small particles and liquid droplets in the air, according to the DEQ press release. Fine particle levels are forecasted to exceed the standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter averaged over 24 hours. This can impair breathing, aggravate symptoms in people with respiratory problems and irritate the lungs in healthy individuals. Those with chronic lung ailments and children should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity, according to the press release.

Symptoms of exposure to high particle levels include: irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; coughing; phlegm; chest pain or tightness; shortness of breath; and asthma attacks. In extreme cases, particle pollution can cause premature death.

According to Sarah Hodges Stalls, public information officer for Beaufort County Schools, Beaufort County Schools will be operating as usual.

“Northside and Northeast are the closest ones to it, but we have nothing planned right now,” Hodges said Wednesday afternoon.

She said notices would go out if that changes.

Vail Stewart Rumley contributed reporting. For the latest updates, visit www.thewashingtondailynews.com.