Latest news with #FishHookFire
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Latest updates on the Black Cove Complex fire
POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) has shared the latest information on the Black Cove Complex in Polk and Henderson County. As of March 29, there are over 490 personnel, both from North Carolina and out-of-state, that are assigned to the Black Cove Complex. The NCDA stated that firefighters from over 14 states have come over to assist. Black Cove Fire On March 29, the Black Cove Fire was reported to have reached up to 3,500 acres, and is now 35% contained. The fire burning on state-owner and private land, and is approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda. Deep Woods Fire As of March 29, the Deep Woods Fire has reportedly burned almost 4,000 acres, and is 32% contained. The fire is burning 5 miles northwest of Columbus on state-owned and private land. Crews were reportedly able to secure containment lines in the Holbert Cove and Cove Mountain areas, and are hoping for further containment with the upcoming favorable weather. Fish Hook Fire As of March 29, the Fish Hook Fire is reported to be 100% contained. Almost 200 acres were burned in the process. The fire was 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring. Officials said that, due to the recent humid weather conditions, the fire behavior has decreased as suppression and repair efforts continue to hold stead. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Evacuations continue Saturday from rapidly spreading NC and SC mountain wildfires
Mandatory evacuations continued in the Carolinas on Saturday from rapidly spreading mountain wildfires that firefighters from across the United States have battled for days, emergency officials said. Three fires that merged to form the Black Cove Complex Fire have burned nearly 7,000 acres in Western North Carolina's Polk and Henderson counties, N.C. Forest Service rangers said Friday night. The fires engulfed 22 structures, forced evacuations on 18 roads and required an injured firefighter to be airlifted to a hospital. AmeriCorps NCCC, which sent a team of firefighters, called the Black Cove Complex Fire on Friday the 'highest priority fire in the U.S.' About 450 firefighters from across the state and nation were on the scene Friday night, according to the N.C. Forest Service. Concord Fire deployed a team that has worked all three of the Black Cove Complex fires. And FEMA on Friday authorized federal money to reimburse costs to North Carolina to fight the massive Table Rock fire in Transylvania County. The fire spread northeast from Pickens County, S.C., and has consumed 10,904 acres, according to an update Saturday by the S.C. Forestry Commission. Another S.C. mountain wildfire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire, has consumed 2,000 acres in Greenville and Pickens counties, officials said. One of the fires that formed the Black Cove Complex Fire has burned 3,410 acres and was 23% contained, Forest Service officials said in a noon update Saturday. The fire, named the Black Cove Fire, was about two miles northeast of Saluda, in the Green River Gorge. Gastonia firefighters were among those who worked through the night late Friday and early Saturday to protect homes near Saluda from the fire. 'Fire behavior has continued to be intense, with rapid fire spread and areas of extreme burning conditions due to shifting winds and dry weather during the day,' according to a news release from the Forest Service on Friday night. Overnight, the fire 'calmed down due to increasing humidity and cloud cover,' fire officials said Saturday. 'Crews patrolled and monitored fire lines throughout the night.' A downed power line caused the fire, which was first reported on Wednesday, officials said. The second fire, known as the Deep Woods Fire, spread to 3,797 acres and was 32% contained by Friday night. The fire was about five miles northwest of Columbus, on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge and the neighboring Holbert Cove community, according to the N.C. Forest Service. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire also was first reported on Wednesday. The third fire, called the Fish Hook Fire, covered 199 acres and was 95% contained, officials said. The fire was about five miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger. A downed power line also caused that fire, which was reported on Thursday, officials said. A 1,300-acre fire in the Alarka community near Bryson City was only 10% contained, Swain County Emergency Management officials said on social media at 8:30 p.m. Friday. The cause of the fire that started Tuesday remains under investigation, officials said. Evacuations were ordered for Long Creek Lane, Unahala Creek and Alarka Highlands. Temperatures and wind increased in Swain County early Saturday ahead of possible rain, officials said. Gusts up to 21 mph were expected and highs near 70 degrees. The chance of showers stood at 40% this weekend. 'Dry windy conditions and rough, rocky terrain will make fire suppression efforts difficult until significant rain is received,' Swain County emergency officials said. North Carolina is under a statewide burn ban. A state of emergency was declared Wednesday for 34 Western North Carolina counties. To check wildfire activity across the state, use the North Carolina Forest Service wildfire public viewer at
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
8 NC wildfires still burning over 7,600+ acres; 2 of largest caused by downed powerlines
COLUMBUS, N.C. (WNCN/AP) — In North Carolina, at least eight fires are still burning in the mountains. Two of the three largest wildfires were caused by downed powerlines, officials say. The North Carolina Forest Service reported Saturday morning that 458 crews were working to fight the fires. Firefighting crews from across North Carolina and 14 other states are involved in the effort, the N.C. Forest Service said. The largest — the Black Cove Fire and the Deep Woods Fire in Polk County — were becoming more contained. As of Saturday morning, the Black Cove Fire is 3,410 acres in size and 23 percent contained. The Black Cove Fire was first reported March 19. The cause was determined to be a downed powerline. As of Saturday morning, the Deep Woods Fire is 3,797 acres in size and 32 percent contained. The fire is burning approximately 5 miles northwest of Columbus in timber on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge and in the neighboring Holbert Cove community. The Fish Hook Fire is 199 acres in size and 95% contained. It is burning approximately 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger. The cause of this fire was determined to be a downed powerline. Effective 8 a.m. Friday, March 21, a ban on all open burning was issued statewide. All burning permits are canceled. No new permits are being issued. The ban remains in effect until further notice. And while the three largest fires have received the most attention, the wildfire season has already been busy thanks to a drought and Hurricane Helene six months ago knocking down millions of trees. The fallen trees act as fuel and block firefighters trying to get to blazes. The Associated Press contributed to this report Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Western North Carolina wildfires at least 20 percent contained, as resources dip due to other in-state fires
POLK COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Additional resources continue arriving to assist with the wildfires that erupted this week in Polk and Henderson counties. N.C. Forest Service officials provided an update Friday night on the firefighting efforts in western North Carolina. There are 458 personnel from North Carolina and across the nation supporting on scene. Resources assigned to this complex have decreased due to North Carolina personnel resources being needed for response to other in-state fires. A Red Flag Warning over the fire area expired this evening. This warning was issued by the National Weather Service due to increased temperature, low humidity and increased winds. The potential for rain is forecast early next week ahead of a cold front that will approach the region Sunday before crossing the area Monday. PREVIOUS: Evacuation levels upgraded in Polk, Henderson counties as wildfires continue to spread Black Cove Fire Currently, the Black Cove Fire is 3,410 acres in size and 23% contained. The fire is burning in timber on state-owned and private land, approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda, in the Green River Gorge. Fire behavior has continued to be intense, with rapid fire spread and areas of extreme burning conditions due to shifting winds and dry weather during the day. The southwest portion of Black Cove is still top priority to secure the fire's edge and protect homes within the Skyland Acres area. The cause of this fire was determined to be a downed powerline. Deep Woods Fire The Deep Woods Fire is 3,797 acres in size and 32% contained. The fire began on Wednesday and is burning approximately 5 miles northwest of Columbus in timber on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge and in the neighboring Holbert Cove community. The northwestern section of the fire is becoming more secure, as firefighting crews continue to patrol and monitor fire containment lines. Structure protection efforts are ongoing along the southeastern section of the fire. Containment lines have been constructed from Green River Road to Holbert Cove Road by way of Cove Mountain, and strategic firing operations have begun on that section and will continue into the night. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. South Carolina wildfire keeps growing as firefighters protect homes Fish Hook Fire The Fish Hook Fire is 199 acres in size and 95% contained. The fire began Thursday is burning approximately 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger. Firefighting personnel have stopped forward progress of the fire and continue securing firebreaks along the fire's edges and extinguishing smoldering fuels. Containment is expected to increase in the coming days, and firefighters will remain on scene until the fire no longer poses a threat. The cause of this fire was determined to be a downed powerline. On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency to expand the state's capacity to respond to the wildfires burning in western North Carolina. A statewide burn ban remains in effect. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
