State of emergency declared as wildfires rage out of control in the Carolinas
Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on wildfires for Monday, March 24. For the latest news, view our story for Tuesday, March 25.
Parts of western North Carolina, still reeling from devastating floods driven by Hurricane Helene in September, are now under siege from wildfires.
Firefighters converged on rural Polk County to battle at least three blazes that have scorched over 5,700 acres, destroyed at least three homes and multiple other buildings, and forced mandatory evacuations. The fire response effort has been hindered by regional impacts from Helene, as debris remains in forests and some roads.
"I’m concerned about the wildfires in Polk County, where people are already struggling due to Mother Nature," Gov. Josh Stein said in a social media post. Stein urged residents to monitor emergency alerts and follow evacuation orders "if you need to leave your homes."
The two largest blazes in what's known as the Black Cove Complex fires have burned more than 5,500 acres in Polk County and were 0% contained late Monday, the state Forest Service said. Both have been burning since Wednesday and gained ground Monday despite the efforts of 263 firefighters from North Carolina and eight other states.
"The Black Cove Fire is moving into Henderson County along Big Hungry Creek Road, where firefighters are attempting to slow the spread of the fire and protect structures,'' the Forest Service said in a late-afternoon update Monday.
Dry conditions that have prevailed in the area for weeks are expected overnight and later in the week, along with windy conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday. In recent weeks, large sections of North Carolina and South Carolina have been designated an "elevated fire risk" by the National Weather Service because of high winds, low humidity and a dearth of rainfall.
"Many areas across the state have seen fires this weekend. A statewide burning ban (is) in place. Do not burn outdoors at all!" the state emergency management agency warned in a social media post. Earlier, the agency had urged people to quickly leave evacuation zones, saying visibility in those areas could be reduced, evacuation blocked − and residents "trapped, injured or killed."
Earlier this month, the National Hurricane Center released a summary report on Hurricane Helene, finding it claimed the lives of 248 people, including 106 in North Carolina. Total damage from the storm was estimated at $78.7 billion − more than half of that in North Carolina.
Residents near North Carolina fires remain under evacuation orders
Local authorities have issued evacuation orders for residents as weather conditions are expected to be dry and windy later into the week, the Asheville Citizen-Times, part of the Paste BN Network reported. In total, Polk County has issued 165 evacuation orders while Henderson County has issued 29.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph are forecast for Tuesday with gusts expected to be higher on ridge tops, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Clay Chaney.
Residents in multiple counties were warned of smoky conditions, with the wildfires impacting the region's air quality.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality extended Code Orange alerts to Henderson, Transylvania, and Rutherford counties through midnight on Monday. Authorities said older adults, children, and those with heart or lung disease may experience health effects.
Polk County remained under a Code Red alert for air quality on Monday, meaning exposure to the air may be unhealthy for anyone. Residents in the area were advised to consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, and those with air pollution sensitivity, including children, older adults, and people with asthma, should avoid outdoor exertion.
Last week, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued a statewide burn ban "due to hazardous forest fire conditions."
South Carolina's Table Rock fire 0% contained
In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to ensure firefighters have the resources needed to combat the Table Rock Fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The state obtained a FEMA grant to help cover the costs for additional fire crews, air tankers and other equipment, McMasters said Monday.
"The statewide burning ban remains in effect as wildfire risks remain high across the state," McMaster said in a statement. "Anyone who violates this ban can and will go to jail."
As of Monday night, the Table Rock Fire − which ignited Friday − is estimated to be over 1,100 acres and has zero containment, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Heavy traffic as residents flee the area has hampered response and caused hazardous driving conditions.
"Heavy smoke conditions along the road have compounded difficult travel along the route," Pickens County authorities said in a fire update. "Residents and motorists should avoid the area."
A smaller blaze, called the Persimmon Ridge Fire, was estimated to be more than 300 acres with zero containment, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said Monday night.
"The weather over the next few days remains concerning, as relative humidities are expected to remain very low, and the forecasted wind speeds will still be conducive to spreading the fire," the state's Forestry Commission said in a statement.
Fighting fire with fire: Burnout 'successful'
The South Carolina Forestry Commission noted that the current estimate of acres burned includes several hundred acres set ablaze by wildland firefighters to eliminate the parched growth between evacuated residential areas and the active wildfires.
"The burnout, which remains in progress, is being deemed successful in removing said fuels," the South Carolina Forestry Commission said.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Paste BN; Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen-Times
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