logo
Weather continues to bring high fire risks to Western NC, even as wildfires are contained

Weather continues to bring high fire risks to Western NC, even as wildfires are contained

Yahoo04-03-2025

Though wildfires across Western North Carolina are slowly being contained, weather conditions have continued to grow more dangerous.
A wind advisory and high wind warning from the National Weather Service are both in effect in Buncombe County and across much of WNC, with the agency warning of increased fire danger through Tuesday evening, March 4.
The advisory and warning remain in effect until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5 - and professionals have warned that it will take more than initial rounds of rain for fire risk to finally dwindle.
Here's what else we know about the forecasts.
As of 1:45 p.m., the U.S. Forest Service informed the public that all wildfires across North Carolina's National Forests were contained or mostly contained. This included the Falls Dam Fire, Ramshorn Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. national forests, covering about 765 acres in total. However, the same news release warned that weather conditions remain dangerous.
"Although relative humidity will be higher today, temperatures will be warmer and winds will be stronger during the afternoon and early evening hours," the alert says. "Rain is not expected to develop soon enough to have an impact on fuel moistures during the warmest part of the day today. So, in coordination with forestry officials a Fire Danger Statement remains in effect for North Carolina, South Carolina, and northeast Georgia."
The NWS issued several warnings around high wind in Buncombe County and much of WNC. A weather hazard outlook posted at 5:13 a.m. on March 4 explained that a wind advisory for areas below 3,500 feet and a high wind warning for areas above 3,500 feet are both in effect from 7 p.m. this evening to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
As a strong cold front moves over the mountains late night on March 4, gusty winds and heavy rain are expected. A line of thunderstorms may develop and move across the region in the pre-dawn hours, and some of the storms in the line could produce damaging straight line wind gusts.
The alert added that "very gusty winds" will likely persist well into Thursday, though the warning and advisory currently end on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
More: National Forest wildfires in North Carolina contained, US Forest Service says
The Forest Service news release said that precipitation and rising humidity are expected to "moderate conditions and fire behavior in coming days."
The NWS has issued the following forecast for the remainder of the week in Buncombe County:
Tuesday, March 4 - Chance of rain before 11 p.m., then showers, mainly after 11 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog after midnight. Low around 51 degrees. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday, March 5 - The high wind warning and advisory end at 1 p.m. Showers, mainly before 4 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. High near 61 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
The chance of rain remains overnight, possibly mixing with snow after 11 p.m., then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29 degrees. Northwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday, March 6 - Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 46 degrees. Breezy, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 30 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
Friday, March 7 - Mostly sunny, with a high near 64 degrees. A chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
More: Buncombe burn ban extended due to 'extreme fire danger': what to know
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: Buncombe County, Western NC weather: High wind warning, advisory

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Millions in Texas Under Flood Warning, Four Dead After Being Swept Away
Millions in Texas Under Flood Warning, Four Dead After Being Swept Away

Newsweek

time4 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Millions in Texas Under Flood Warning, Four Dead After Being Swept Away

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Torrential rains swept through San Antonio early Thursday, leaving at least four people dead and two others missing as fast-moving floodwaters overwhelmed roads and neighborhoods across the city, officials said. A flood warning remained in effect for millions of residents across parts of south-central and southeast Texas, including Jackson and Wharton counties. According to the National Weather Service, between 3 and 7 inches of rain had already fallen in those areas by late morning, with another 0.5 to 1 inch possible. Calls for water rescues began just before sunrise, and by midmorning, emergency crews had performed 65 water rescues throughout the area, according to the San Antonio Fire Department. The victims — two women and two men — were found in the city's northeast, where authorities also discovered 13 vehicles submerged in water. "It's hard to determine at this point exactly how they got swept away," said San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Woody Woodward. "But it is an area where there was high water that was moving rapidly and there were several people that were caught in that water that had climbed up into trees and we did do a couple of rescues out of trees and some rescues out of vehicles." Interactive maps from showed the affected areas. Police Chief William McManus confirmed the deaths but did not release the victims' ages. Fire officials said crews are continuing to search for the two missing individuals. The flooding followed hours of slow-moving thunderstorms and intense rainfall overnight. Eric Platt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said more than 7 inches of rain fell in parts of the San Antonio area. By late morning, floodwaters had begun to recede, but Platt warned that any additional rain — even light — could worsen conditions. "I don't expect additional rain to be as heavy as overnight, but anything that falls on saturated ground can be a flooding problem," he said. A police vehicle blocks a flooded roadway in San Antonio, Texas., where a vehicle was stranded after heavy rains in the city on Thursday, June 12, 2025. A police vehicle blocks a flooded roadway in San Antonio, Texas., where a vehicle was stranded after heavy rains in the city on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Associated Press The service advised residents in flood-prone areas to remain cautious and avoid driving through submerged roads. "Turn around, don't drown," the warning stated, noting that most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Residents are encouraged to report observed flooding to local authorities and ensure the information is passed to the National Weather Service for real-time updates. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. This story contains reporting by The Associated Press.

Air quality alert issued for Outagamie County
Air quality alert issued for Outagamie County

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Air quality alert issued for Outagamie County

An air quality alert was issued by the National Weather Service in Green Bay at 03:42 a.m. on Thursday, June 12. This warning applies to Vilas, Oneida, Forest, Florence, Northern Marinette, Lincoln, Langlade, Menominee, Northern Oconto, Door, Marathon, Shawano, Wood, Portage, Waupaca, Outagamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Waushara, Winnebago, Calumet, Manitowoc, Southern Marinette and Southern Oconto counties. The NWS warns: "Sensitive groups: Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense. It is OK to be active outdoors but take more breaks. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. People with asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider. Additional Details: Canadian wildfire smoke has mixed down to the surface, leading to enhanced p.m.2.5 concentrations. For more information on current air quality, please see: At 3:42 a.m., the NWS issued a statement including the following information: "The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the following counties: Brown, Calumet, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, Winnebago, Wood. WHAT: The p.m.2.5 AQI is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups level. WHERE: Northern and eastern Wisconsin. WHEN: Until 3 p.m." Air quality alerts are issued when elevated levels of pollutants in the air make it unsafe to be outside. In Wisconsin, Canadian wildfire smoke has often led to poor air quality. Particles from wildfire smoke can cause minor symptoms, such as mild eye or throat irritation, or more serious heart and lung issues in some cases, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources . Wildfire smoke particles, which are called p.m.2.5, are especially dangerous for children, older adults, pregnant people and those with heart or respiratory conditions. The best way to protect yourself from poor air quality is to stay indoors, especially when the Air Quality Index reaches above 101, which is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the Environmental Protection Agency . Here are some additional steps you can take to protect yourself from poor air quality, including wildfire smoke, according to the Wisconsin DNR: Keep windows and doors closed. Use an indoor air purifier. Run your AC on recirculate with a high-efficiency air filter. Avoid activities that can increase indoor pollution, like vacuuming, using candles, frying foods or using gas appliances. Use a damp cloth to trap and clean up dust, instead of a dry cloth or duster, which will only make the dust airborne again. If you must go outside, wear a N95 mask. The DNR has interactive air quality maps, which show the AQI and any active alerts or advisories by county. You can view them on the department's website , or you can also type in your ZIP code into the website to view air quality in your area. This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor. See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Air quality alert issued for Outagamie County

Alerts Urging People to Monitor Themselves for Coughs Return to One State
Alerts Urging People to Monitor Themselves for Coughs Return to One State

Newsweek

time6 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Alerts Urging People to Monitor Themselves for Coughs Return to One State

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Air quality officials are once again advising people in Wisconsin to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughs as Canadian wildfire smoke descends across the state. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Todd Rieck, who works at the La Crosse, Wisconsin, office, told Newsweek that Thursday might be the worst day for smoke impacts. Why It Matters Over the past few weeks, wildfire smoke from Canada has descended into the U.S. and worsened the air quality in some states. Among them, Wisconsin has been on high alert, with residents advised to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughs if they are exposed to the polluted air. Earlier this week, much of the smoke dissipated but has once again returned. What to Know Much of Wisconsin is under the air quality alert, which was issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on Thursday morning. The alert encompasses northern, northcentral, northeastern, southwestern and central Wisconsin. A stock photo shows a woman coughing while outdoors. A stock photo shows a woman coughing while outdoors. Liubomyr Vorona/Getty Current air quality monitoring shows that air quality has reached levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of central and southwestern Wisconsin. Sensitive groups such as those with respiratory diseases, asthma, or children and the elderly were advised to be particularly cautious and monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing. "Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense. It is OK to be active outdoors but take more breaks," the alert said. "Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. People with asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider." Air quality alerts are also in place in Montana, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey, but these alerts didn't mention coughing. Earlier in the week, the smoke prompted alerts in Minnesota, in which people were asked to keep their windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting inside their homes. What People Are Saying Rieck told Newsweek: "Currently the upper-level flow is allowing for more air to filter southeast over the last couple days and especially today, it might be the worst of the bunch. As we start to move into the weekend, we should start getting a little more ridging in the upper atmosphere, so that's going to bump the winds back north. The smoke should follow suit and stay mostly farther to the north as a result, and the air quality should improve as we get into the weekend." An air quality alert in place in Wisconsin said: "Canadian wildfire smoke has mixed down to the surface, leading to enhanced PM2.5 concentrations." What Happens Next The air quality alert will remain in place until Thursday. Improved air quality will move in from the north and east, the alert said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store