National Forest wildfires in North Carolina contained, US Forest Service says
All wildfires across North Carolina's National Forests have been contained or mostly contained, according to a 1:45 p.m. news release from the U.S. Forest Service on March 4.
The Falls Dam Fire, Ramshorn Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. National Forests covered about 765 acres in total.
Here's what we know about the specifics on each fire based on statements from the Forest Service.
The news release informed the public that the three fires, as well as "all other reported fires," have been contained. Fire crews will continue reinforcing containment lines using natural barriers and improving existing defenses to prevent further spread. Smoke may still be visible in contained areas.
While a weather system moving in tonight, March 4, and lasting through tomorrow, March 5, will further elevate fire risk, the Forest Service expects precipitation and rising humidity to "moderate conditions and fire behavior in coming days."
For wildfire updates, the release suggested following the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at facebook.com/nfsnc, and checking for updates on the Forest Service website at fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices.
More: Wildfires in Western NC: See our interactive map
The Ramshorn Fire in the Croatan National Forest of Carteret County is fully contained. The fire covered about 110 acres.
The Hicks Cemetery Fire in the Pisgah National Forest of Haywood County is at about 40% containment. The fire covered about 150 acres.
The Falls Dam Fire in the Uwharrie National Forest of Montgomery County is about 65% contained. It was the largest of the three wildfires, covering about 505 acres.
While Forest Service fire crews have contained all reported fires in N.C.'s National Forests, Polk County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page the morning of March 4 that conditions of the 3910 Fire remained stable overnight. The fire has burned 593 acres in Polk County and is 63% contained.
The Facebook post said firefighters had made "tremendous progress." An update is expected around 5 p.m. March 4.
This story will be updated.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Carolina wildfires: Containment update from US Forest Service
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