SHALLOTTE, NC — Brunswick County Schools officials pulled the plug on the regular school day at Shallotte Middle School Friday morning, opting for an immediate, precautionary early dismissal as shifting smoke from a nearby wildfire drifted across the campus.
The decision, executed before noon, was born out of an abundance of caution rather than an environmental hazard declaration.
While the Brunswick County Emergency Operations Center confirmed that general public outdoor air quality metrics remained within safe parameters, district leadership chose to act swiftly due to the localized concentration of smoke settling near the school grounds.
Operations personnel coordinated a rapid-response departure schedule. Car rider pick-ups commenced at 9:45 a.m., followed closely by the dispatch of student transport buses at 10:00 a.m. Families readjusted their afternoon schedules as administrators worked to clear the campus and minimize student exposure to the lingering haze.
District officials emphasized that continuous monitoring of regional weather patterns and fire progression remains a top priority. Parents have been advised to watch for subsequent district communications regarding transportation adjustments or schedule revamping for the upcoming week as emergency crews continue managing the active local fire situation.
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