Three major wildfires that broke out in one North Carolina county still recovering from Hurricane Helene have exploded to burn more than 3,000 acres combined as South Carolina’s governor declared an emergency in response to a growing wildfire in the Blue Ridge mountains.
The North Carolina department of public safety announced a mandatory evacuation starting at 8.20pm on Saturday for parts of Polk county in western North Carolina about 80 miles (129km) west of Charlotte.
“Visibility in area will be reduced and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked; if you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed,” the agency said in a social media post.
The public safety department said a shelter had been established in Columbus, North Carolina.
The two biggest wildfires in Polk county – the Black Cove fire, which has burned 2,076 acres, and the Deep Woods fire, which had burned 1,700 acres – were at zero containment, said Kellie Cannon, spokesperson for Polk county government. The Fish Hook fire, which scorched 1,713 acres, was 50% contained.
All are burning about 30 miles south-east of Ashville, according to the North Carolina forest service, in an area where Hurricane Helene swept through in September. The downed trees leftover from the hurricane, as well as low humidity and dry vegetation, are helping to fuel the fires which ignited last week, officials said.
“It’s not just the high winds, the low humidity, the steep terrain, but they’re also dealing with storm debris that’s blocking UTV trails, regular roads, and them just getting in on foot because we have so many trees down,” Cannon told CBS affiliate WSPA.
Dense smoke from the wildfires spurred a “code red” air quality alert for Polk county. The North Carolina forest service warned in a social media post that all residents should avoid prolonged exposure or heavy exertion outdoors.
Cannon said the residents of Polk county are “extremely resilient” after enduring Helene and the last round of wildfires earlier this month.
North Carolina was under a statewide burn ban during the critical fire weather. The state’s forest service reminded residents that the ban is remaining in place until further notice.
The threat of wildfires was felt in neighboring South Carolina where Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Saturday as part of an effort to stop a blaze in Pickens county called the Table Rock fire that started on Friday night and quickly spread to 35 acres, McMaster said.
By Sunday, the South Carolina forestry commission was reporting that the fire had grown to 300 acres and was 0% contained.
“As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property,” McMaster said in a statement that reinforced a statewide outdoor burning ban issued on Friday by the South Carolina forestry commission.
Local fire officials called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of some residents near Table Rock Mountain, the forestry commission said in a social media post.
The Pickens county sheriff’s office posted an update on Sunday saying that agencies are continuing to work to contain the fire, aided by a successful back burn process. Assistance from helicopters and air tankers would continue until sundown. Residents were advised that evacuations remained in effect and that Table Rock state park was closed until further notice.
The New Jersey forest fire service, meanwhile, has been battling a wildfire that broke out in the Wharton state forest on Saturday. The fire had consumed about 2.7 sq miles (7 sq km) as of early Sunday morning. Firefighters had contained about half of the blaze, according to an 8am update on the service’s Facebook page.
Emergency officials said they have evacuated two campgrounds in the park. Eighteen buildings were near the fire, but the flames were moving away from them; and no structures had been evacuated.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
