Employees of CA, a Cary software firm, are spending Earth Day volunteering at Umstead State Park in Raleigh.

The volunteers will be in the park Thursday afternoon preparing fire buffers to reduce the risk of wildfires. Already this year, wildfires have burned more than 5,000 acres in the state.

How are you planning to help the planet on Earth Day?

Runners, it's time to mark your calendars and reserve your place at the start.

Registration has opened for Raleigh's fourth annual City of Oaks Marathon and Rex Healthcare Half Marathon, presented by Raleigh Running Outfitters.

The 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon will start and
finish on N.C. State University's Centennial Campus on Nov. 7. The
races start at 7 a.m.