Governor Stein extends state of emergency for western NC wildfires
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — As wildfires continue to wreak havoc in western North Carolina, relief is being extended by the state and federal government.
Governor Josh Stein announced Saturday that the state of emergency is extended for the next 30 days for 34 counties in NC.
Wildfires have ravaged an already damaged part of the state, making it even harder for citizens to recover.
'I appreciate all of the first responders, emergency managers, state forest rangers, and state and local officials working hard to protect North Carolinians from wildfires,' said Governor Stein. 'I am extending this State of Emergency to ensure the State Emergency Response Team has every resource available to continue to respond to wildfires to protect people and property.'
Here are the counties included among the state of emergency: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, as well as the tribal lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
PREVIOUSLY: Evacuation order issued as crews battle wildfire in western NC
In the press release, the state's Department of Agriculture cited 2,348 wildfire incidents between March and April. A statewide burn ban was issued by the NC Forestry Service between March 21 and April 2.
'The spring wildfire season is off to a very busy start, which has kept the N.C. Forest Service, first responders and emergency management staff on their toes,' said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
The extension will continue to provide resources to assist counties by deploying firefighters and sending more logistical supplies and equipment. Also, the State Emergency Operations Center's 24-hour Watch Center will continue assisting counties with issuing evacuation orders through the Wireless Emergency Alert Network and through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
'I appreciate the Governor extending the State of Emergency and making resources available, especially with the elevated risk of wildfires in Western NC,' said Troxler. 'I also urge people to use extreme caution when doing any burning.'
FEMA previously announced on Monday that federal funds were authorized to help battle the Sam Davis Road wildfires in Swain County. They said the fire threatened approximately 70 homes in the Lower Alarka and Big Rockies Road area.
Before that, FEMA provided federal funding for wildfires in Alarka — which is also in Swain County — the Table Rock Fire that started in South Carolina and spread to NC, and Black Cove in Polk and Henderson counties all back in March.
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