WNC fires grow: Transylvania Co. issues state of emergency, high winds expected March 26
Two wildfires in Polk and Henderson county now cover nearly 6,000 acres in the Green River Gorge and as another fire in South Carolina has grown, Transylvania County has issued a countywide state of emergency.
More than 50 fire departments and more than 300 personnel from North Carolina and other states are deployed on the ground to combat the Deep Woods Fire and the Black Cove Fire in the Green River Gorge. The two fires remain at 0% containment as fire activity remains "significant," the Polk County Office of Emergency Management said March 25.
In South Carolina, the Table Rock Complex Fire has scorched 1,389 acres and is at 0% containment. Transylvania County, which borders Upstate South Carolina, issued a state of emergency on March 25 in response to the fire.
N.C. Forest Service spokesperson E.J. Dwigans provided an update on the size of the fires in the Green River Gorge the evening of March 25.
Black Cove Fire: 3,046 acres, 0% containment
Deep Woods Fire: 2,923 acres, 0% containment
Fish Hook Fire: 199 acres, 72% containment
The two larger fires are burning on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge through steep terrain heavily impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. National Weather Service meteorologist Clay Chaney said the area experienced wind gusts between 25-35 mph on March 25, exacerbating firefighters' ability to respond to the fires. North Carolina is currently under a statewide burn ban.
There is no chance of rain until "probably late Saturday night into Sunday," Chaney said. Wind gusts are expected to be between 20-25 mph on March 26, but will decrease March 27-28.
In response to the Black Cove Fire in Polk County, evacuation orders have been issued for residents who live along Lady Slipper Trail, Big Hungry Road, Spurgeon Cove Lane, English Heifer Cove Road, Deer Trail, Scarlets Mountain Road and Green River Cove Road addresses from 1091-1528. In Henderson County, voluntary evacuation orders have been issued for Laurel Mountain View Road and Boulder View Road.
In response to the Deep Woods Fire, evacuation orders have been issued for residents on Fox Paw Lane and from 5079-7265 Holberts Cove Road.
In total, Polk County has issued 165 evacuation orders while Henderson County has issued 29.
Polk County's shelter for wildfire evacuees is located at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus. Henderson County's emergency shelter is at 708 South Grove St., Hendersonville.
This story will be updated.
Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. Consider supporting this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: WNC wildfires grow in Polk, Henderson counties NC after high winds
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