RALEIGH – Despite a weakening tropical storm off the North Carolina coast, little rainfall has hit the Tar Heel State and less than a half-inch of rain worked to fight the state's wildfire.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Cristobal's maximum sustained winds had dropped from 50 mph to 45 mph. A tropical storm warning was posted from north of Surf City to the Virginia-North Carolina border.

Forecasters said the center of Cristobal was about 25 miles east of Cape Lookout and about 50 miles south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, moving northeast at near 7 mph.

Columbia Fire spokeswoman Melissa Yunas said the area received less than a half inch of rain Saturday night. A trace of rain had fallen Sunday, and forecasts were for an inch or more.

Yunas said firefighters were concerned that the storm could bring only winds that would spread the blaze and endanger firefighters by blowing over trees whose roots were burned.

The fire has burned 41,553 acres in and around Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge since it started June 1. State officials have lifted a ban on open burning in 10 eastern North Carolina counties.

Meteorologist Rich Bandy at the National Weather Service in Newport said the storm's strongest winds are east of the center, out at sea. Bandy says winds on the coastal side of the storm are about 25 mph and will have little impact unless it strengthens.

Stay with News 14 Carolina for more information.

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