Firefighters battle to protect North Carolina homes as wildfires expand
Firefighters battle to protect North Carolina homes as wildfires expand
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Multiple wildfires in North Carolina's Polk County
Flames raged in North Carolina's Polk County as authorities reported multiple wildfires.
The Black Cove Complex burning Thursday in western North Carolina is now the "highest priority fire in the U.S," the state Forest Service said as millions of residents across the parched region remained under alert for wildfires.
Hundreds of Polk County residents have been forced from their homes for several days as the fire has spread into neighboring Henderson County. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the mountains of Polk and Henderson counties, indicating the potential for severe fire behavior and the possibility of rapid fire spread.
Firefighters continue preparing firebreaks and protecting homes and businesses in anticipation of elevated temperatures, high winds and low humidity, the Forest Service said.
Elsewhere, two fires in South Carolina grew rapidly Wednesday, and parts Georgia, West Virginia and Tennessee were also are threatened.
"ALERT: There is an elevated fire danger across Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia away from the immediate coast again this afternoon," the Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina, warned in a social media post Thursday. "A Burn Ban remains in effect for all of South Carolina."
The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to alert land management agencies about the possibility of weather and fuel moisture conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity. This could be due to a combination of low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, or any combination.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
14 minutes 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.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Wildfire smoke, high temps overtake Mass. ahead of 13th wet weekend
Hazy skies and high temperatures are on deck for Massachusetts on Thursday, just before — you guessed it — rain moves in this weekend. 'We're still right in the thick of that smoke coming down,' said National Weather Service forecaster Bryce Williams. While abundant sunshine is in the forecast statewide, hazy skies are expected to take over by 10 a.m. as the smoke moves in. The greatest concentration of smoke will be over Central and Eastern Massachusetts, Williams said, though the low-level haziness won't be as dense as previous days. The smoke is expected to clear out late afternoon. Air quality was at a 'moderate' level statewide on Thursday morning, according to data from the AirNow map. Temperatures will reach the 80s on Thursday. Boston is expected to reach highs of 86 degrees, while Worcester and Springfield will be in the low 80s. And while the daytime on Friday should still be 75 and sunny across the Bay State, cool and wet weather are on track for the weekend. This will mark the 13th consecutive wet weekend Massachusetts has seen this year — but it's not looking to be another washout. The widespread, scattered rain showers are expected to begin after midnight on Friday, Williams said. Though the rain should let up by 10 a.m. on Saturday, there could still be some lingering showers into the afternoon. But Williams said, 'The later in the day, the better chance for dry weather.' Temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid 60s statewide on Saturday, and northern areas may not break above the 50s. There's a chance the showers could continue on Sunday, but they would be more concentrated to Western Massachusetts. The day is expected to be mostly dry with overcast skies. Temperatures will still be in the 60s, and Eastern Massachusetts may see some cooler temps. These Mass. beaches are closed on Wednesday, June 11 Mass. weather: Rip current warning issued amidst heat, wildfire smoke Update: Weather alert active for Berkshire County until Wednesday morning Severe thunderstorms could drench Western Mass., Conn. on Tuesday Mass. weather: Heavy rain, severe thunderstorms on radar Tuesday Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
3 Dead In San Antonio After Crash During Torrential Rain And Flash Flooding
At least 3 people died early Thursday morning after multiple vehicles crashed during heavy rain and flooding in San Antonio, Texas. According to local reports, one person was killed in the crash on Loop 410, two others died when they were swept away by floodwaters. Witnesses said multiple vehicles had been swept away and first responders were trying to locate them. San Antonio has been inundated with more than 6 inches of rain since midnight. That's more than the average rainfall in June and July combined. Local reports showed vehicles across the city trapped in high water overnight, and the city confirmed that multiple water rescues were happening. Many cars were seen covered by water or floating along Interstate 35. The flooding shut down more than two dozen roads in San Antonico and city officials urged people not to attempt to drive across flooded streets. Across Bexar County, the National Weather Service reported that 40 low water crossings were closed along with several others in Comal and Hays counties. The storms knocked out power to more than 57,000 customers across Texas, according to
