NC Gov. extends state of emergency for wildfires
(WSPA) – North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has extended a state of emergency order for parts of western North Carolina in response to wildfires in the region.
Stein first declared a state of emergency due to the spread of wildfires in western North Carolina in March. His most recent order extends the declaration another 30 days.
'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 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.'
Over the last two months officials with the N.C. Forest Service, as as well as first responders and emergency management staff have responded to 2,348 wildfire incidents spanning more than 23,000 acres, according to Steve Troxler, state agriculture commissioner.
'I appreciate the Governor extending the State of Emergency and making resources available, especially with the elevated risk of wildfires in Western NC. I also urge people to use extreme caution when doing any burning,' he said.
As many communities continue to see dry conditions and the recurrence of wildfire activity, the State Emergency Response Team continues to maintain regular communication with the North Carolina Forest Service and with county emergency management offices to ensure first responders, state forest firefighters, and state forest rangers have the tools needed to keep people safe.
The State of Emergency includes the following counties: 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.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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