In North and South Carolina, firefighters are battling numerous fires, and containment efforts are challenging because of the rugged terrain, strong breezes, and dry conditions. The flames, which have already consumed thousands of acres, are being fueled by the particles that Hurricane Helene left behind and the region’s continued drought.
North Carolina
The North Carolinaforest service reported three active wildfires in Polk county, with two major blazes spanning between 1.7 square miles (4.4 square kilometers) and 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers). Fires are also burning in Burke, Madison, and Stokes counties, with Stokes County bordering Virginia.
The spread of the three biggest fire, Black Cove, Deep Woods, and Fish Hook, is forcing emergency and putting lives at risk.
- This fire, which was started by a broken power line, has burned 2, 076 hectares and is currently 0 % contained as of Sunday.
- The county’s largest flames, which covers 1, 802 acre, is also entirely uncontained.
- The smallest of the three, the Fish Hook fireplace, has burned 199 hectares but is only 50 % contained.
One house and two buildings have been destroyed by the Black Clove and Deep Woods fires, according to Polk County officers, according to a NBC news source.
Security and disaster actions
At 8.20 pm on Saturday, the North Carolinadepartment of public safety had issued mandatory evacuation orders for parts of the county, located 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Charlotte. A shelter was also set up in Columbus, North Carolina.
More than 165 properties are subject to mandatory evacuation requests, particularly in areas close to the Henderson County boundary. As the flames spread further, regional authorities have issued volunteer evacuation notices for certain areas of Laurel Mountain View Road and Boulder View Road.
Due to the escalating crisis, North Carolinahas issued a statewide burn ban. The North Carolinadivision of air quality has also declared a “Code Red” air quality alert for Polk County, warning residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure. Rutherford county is under a “Code Orange” alert, signalling hazardous air conditions for sensitive groups.
We’ve already evacuated everything we thought was critical, according to Polk county resident Kim Callaway, who lives close to one of the evacuation zones.
Callaway added,” And now we’re just staying at the house and doing everything we can to make sure our home is prepared if the firefighters need to show up and hold the line.”
The Green River Gorge’s forests were the site of the fires, which were spreading across rough and challenging ground on both state-owned and personal property.
South Carolina
South Carolinais also struggling with dangerous wildfires, prompting governor Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency. Two fires in the mountainous region are proving difficult to control:
- Authorities in Pinckney County have been forced to obtain volunteer evacuations close to Table Rock Mountain because this fire has grown to more than 1, 280 acres. Firefighters have employed controlled fires to halt the lights.
- Persimmon Ridge fire ( Greenville county ): Despite falling from the sky, the flame that started on Saturday has spread to 800 acres.
The Stand Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires were both caused by human activity. Although no fatalities or serious injury had been reported and no buildings were in immediate danger, volunteer evacuations remained in place for around 100 houses.
Health procedures and a ban on burning
According to McMasters, the state likewise received a FEMA grant on Monday to help pay for additional fire crews, heat containers, and other gear, according to USA Today.
The government stated in a speech that the state’s burning ban is still in effect because of the state’s high fire risk levels.
” Anyone who violates this ban will go to jail,” the statement read.
According to the New York Post, the fire that broke out on Sunday morning had spread to approximately 100 acres. The South CarolinaNational Guard reported that a National Guard air crew had joined efforts to contain the Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville, South Carolina.
What causes these fires to be so powerful?
According to Robert Scheller, a forestry professor at North CarolinaState University, the devastation left by Hurricane Helene last September has created perfect conditions for these fires.
He said,” Helene simply dropped tons of fuel on the ground,” adding that rapid dry-outs are a result of flash floods.
In 2022, the Bertha Swamp path fire destroyed 51 square miles of Florida’s forest in the wake of Hurricane Michael’s route.
The North Carolinadepartment of agriculture and consumer services reported that at least 250 firefighters from across the region are battling the flames. The combination of fallen trees, steep terrain, and dry weather is making their job significantly harder.
Long road ahead
Officials warn that the fire time could last for months because there isn’t much rain in the forecast and high winds are still igniting the flames. People of the affected regions are urged to remain call, abide by evacuation orders, and take safety measures against dust inhalation.
