ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Wildfires are currently causing concern in Western North Carolina, with several new fires reported amid ongoing efforts to contain larger blazes in the area.
In Buncombe County, the Freedom Farm Fire ignited in the Leicester and Dix Creek region on March 26. As of late Wednesday night, it has expanded to over 80 acres and is not yet contained. Fortunately, there are no evacuation orders at this time.
Haywood County is also facing challenges as the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, which started in Cruso, has grown to about 200 acres. Officials have confirmed that there are no evacuation orders in effect.
In Rutherford County, a smaller fire in Rutherfordton prompted temporary evacuation orders, but it has since been fully contained after burning around five acres.
In Jackson County, crews are working to control the Kitchen Branch Fire, which has burned around 50 acres and remains 0% contained, with no current evacuation orders.
Here’s a summary of other major fires in the region:
Black Cove Complex (Polk, Henderson Counties):
- Black Cove Fire: 3,052 acres | 17% containment | Approximately 55 homes evacuated.
- Deep Woods Fire: 3,231 acres | 11% containment | Approximately 197 homes evacuated.
- Fish Hook Fire: 199 acres | 86% containment | No evacuations.
Despite some progress in controlling these fires, Polk County officials reported heightened wildfire activity on Wednesday, leading to several evacuation orders being upgraded. For the latest information, you can refer to Polk County Emergency Management.
Table Rock Complex (Upstate, SC; Transylvania County):
This fire has nearly doubled in size, now stretching across 4,556 acres with no containment. Another fire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire, has also expanded to 1,553 acres. Because of the dangers, Transylvania County has declared a state of emergency and issued mandatory evacuations for specific areas. An interactive evacuation map is available for those affected.
Alarka Five Fire (Swain County):
This significant fire has surpassed 1,000 acres with 0% containment. It’s moving toward Frye Mountain and nearby communities. Evacuation orders are currently in place, and an emergency shelter has been set up at Victory Baptist Church after being relocated from Alarka Community Center.
The ongoing situation highlights the increasing frequency of wildfires in many regions, partially attributed to climate change. According to a recent report from the National Interagency Fire Center, the number of wildfires has risen dramatically over the past two decades, doubling in some areas. Experts emphasize the need for improved forest management and community preparedness to handle these natural disasters.
Wildfires can evoke strong reactions on social media, where users share personal stories and images. This sense of community can be crucial in raising awareness and encouraging preparedness among residents in fire-prone areas.
Staying informed and ready is key during these wildfire threats. Remember to check trusted sources for updates as conditions can change rapidly.
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