North Carolina wildfire containment: Fire risks aren't over yet, Forest Service says
Further updates on recent North Carolina wildfires from the U.S. Forest Service indicated progress in containment.
The news release, issued at around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, explained that wet weather Western N.C. is aiding in the process of containing wildfires. However, the release warned that fire risks may rise again in coming days.
The fully contained Ramshorn Fire and partially contained Falls Dam Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. national forests have covered about 809 acres in total. Here's what we know from the Forest Service's statements.
The recent news release from the U.S. Forest Service provided information on the effects of rainfall on the N.C. national forest wildfires. The Forest Service reported rainfall accumulation across the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests from 0.5-2 inches as of Wednesday evening, March 5.
The release warned, however, that despite the precipitation WNC is seeing, warm, dry conditions with relative humidity dropping to 20% are forecast to return, increasing fire risk into the weekend.
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.
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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 50% containment. The fire has covered about 194 acres.
The recent news release stated that the the affected area experienced sustained winds exceeding 20 mph from the south-southeast overnight, potentially pushing embers beyond containment lines. The release added that crews will remain alert and adjust containment as needed to compensate for potential hotspots, despite receiving nearly an inch of rainfall and forecasts of 1-2 inches of snow.
The Falls Dam Fire in the Uwharrie National Forest of Montgomery County is about 85% contained. It was the largest of the three wildfires, covering about 505 acres.
Outside of National Forests, Polk County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5 about conditions of the 3910 Fire in the county.
The post informed the public that the Polk County fire is now 91% contained, having burned 619 acres in total. As of 5 p.m. on March 4, operations have been handed over to the NCFS. The post thanked local fire departments, emergency personnel and the entire community for assistance in controlling the fire.
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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 increases: U.S. Forest Service
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