Firefighters make progress on wildfires in Polk Co.
POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – Firefighters continue to make progress Friday containing wildfires in Polk County and Henderson County in North Carolina.
More than 500 people are on scene fighting fires which have burned more than 6,800 acres combined.
The Black Cove Fire is burning on state-owned and private land in the area of the Green River Gorge just north of Interstate 26. That fire has burned from Polk County into Henderson County.
The fire is 3,288 acres in size and is 17% contained, as of Friday morning.
According to the North Carolina Forest Service, firefighters worked throughout the night to remove unburned fuels between containment lines in the southwestern portion of the fire, near the Skyland Acres area.
The fire, which was caused by a downed power line, broke out March 19.
The Deep Woods Fire is burning northwest of Columbus in Polk County on state-owned and private land in the area of the Green River Gorge and the Holbert Cove community.
The fire is 3,373 acres in size and is 30% contained, as of Friday morning.
According to the North Carolina Forest Service, firefighters were able to build containment lines and conduct successful firing operations to protect homes near Green River Road.
The firing operations used lower temperatures and higher humidity levels overnight to slowly and strategically burn fuels in the path of the fire, according to the forest service.
The Deep Woods Fire also began on March 19 but the cause is still under investigation.
The Fish Hook fire is 199 acres in size and is 95% contained.
The fire is located on private land near Lake Adger.
The NC Forest Service said firefighters have stopped the progress of the fire and are continuing to extinguish smoldering fuels.
Officials said containment is expected to increase in the coming days and firefighters will remain until the fire no longer poses a threat.
The Fish Hook Fire was started by a downed power line on March 20.
Multiple evacuations continue in parts of Polk County and Henderson County.
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for these roads:
3509-4523 Green River Cove Road
1091-1528 Green River Cove Road
2456-6159 Holbert Cove Road
5079-7265 Holbert Cove Road
Wilderness Cove Trail
Coyote Ridge Lane
Cozy Cove Lane
Echo Lane
Glen Echo Circle
Sams Gap Lane
Scout Camp Road
Who Drive
Big Hungry Road
Deer Trail
English Heifer Cove Road
Scarlets Mountain Road
Spurgeon Cove Lane
Fox Paw Lane
Lady Slipper Trail
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