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Yahoo
30-03-2025
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Western NC wildfires live updates Sunday, March 30: See the latest from around the region
The worst wildfires in the country right now are burning in Western North Carolina and the South Carolina Upstate Sunday, March 30, 11 days after some of the fires started. Hundreds of firefighters from across the country are battling the wildfires around the clock in WNC and the Upstate. Five hundred firefighting personnel have been battling the blazes in Polk County, where some residents have faced mandatory evacuations, as have residents in other counties such as Transylvania. Some homes have been destroyed. Only one injury has been reported. The largest fire in the region is the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, South Carolina, which doubled in size Friday and crossed the state line into Transylvania County in North Carolina. In North Carolina, large wildfires are burning in Polk County, the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires; Swain County, the Alarka Fire; and Haywood County, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, that has forced the closure of Shining Rock Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest. Firefighters continue to hope for significant rainfall to tamp down on the spreading fires. Sunday weather forecasts some rain for the areas impacted by the wildfires, but whether it will be enough to make a dent remains to be seen. Burn bans are still in effect across all of North Carolina and South Carolina, and fire risks persist. The Asheville Citizen Times will bring you live updates on wildfire conditions throughout Saturday. You can track the wildfires with our interactive fire map, which is updated hourly, shows where the fires are and has information about their size, origin and more. For more information on the fires and for a picture of how conditions have been developing, take a look at our live coverage from Saturday, March 29, Friday, March 28, Thursday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 26. Two of the three fires threatening Transylvania County have grown, according to a Sunday morning update from officials. The Rattlesnake Branch Fire in Haywood County grew to an estimated 1,882 acres while the Persimmon Ridge Fire in South Carolina grew by less than 100 acres to 2,078. The largest of the three fires and the only one to have crossed into Transylvania County from South Carolina, the Table Rock Fire, decreased from about 12,000 acres to 11,468, according to a statement from county officials. 'Yesterday was a very productive day for firefighters working to contain the Table Rock Complex Fire in North Carolina,' the statement said. 'Burnout operations and fire lines seems to have been very successful in slowing and stopping the fire in critical areas.' Rain might be on firefighters' side. 'We are receiving small amounts of rain which is helping. However, residents need to remember that the burn band will remain in place,' the statement said. 'The amount of rain does not remove the danger burning can pose to our community.' Over 750 homes remain under a mandatory evacuation, but so far no homes have been damaged by the fires. Officials will reassess the evacuations orders Sunday and some homes may be removed from the order, the county said. A curfew will be in place from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday for the evacuation area, county officials said. Transylvania County Sheriff's Office deputies will patrol the evacuation area. Road closures include:• Blue Ridge Parkway from Route 215 to Asheville.• Route 276 closed from Cascade Lake Road to Highway 11.• East Fork Road is closed from the East Fork entrance of Connestee Falls to Glady Fork Road. Swain County's Alarka Fire swelled to 1,390 acres Saturday, but is now 18% contained, according to an update from officials. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. So far, one home and a camper were destroyed in the fire. Officials lifted all evacuation orders in the Alarka community. Those areas included:• Long Creek Lane• Unahala Creek• Alarka Highlands Rain remains a strong hope for the 164 people working the fire. 'Dry, windy conditions and rough, rocky terrain will make fire suppression efforts difficult until significant rain is received,' the Swain County Emergency Management said in a statement. The Fish Hook Fire is now 100% contained, according to a Saturday evening update from the North Carolina Forest Service. The fire, which was first reported March 20, burned 199 acres approximately 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger. Meanwhile, containment is increasing on the other Black Cove Complex fires. As of 7 p.m. Saturday, there were 493 personnel assigned to the Black Cove Complex with more resources set to arrive. Crews from across North Carolina and 14 other states are part of the effort. Black Cove Fire: The Black Cove Fire is 3,500 acres in size and 35% contained. Stay up to date with the location and size of fires with our North Carolina wildfire and smoke map. The map is interactive, is updated hourly and provides detailed information on each fire. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Western NC wildfires updates March 30: Where are the fires?
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Climate
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A dangerous storm is sweeping the nation with severe weather risk
An outbreak of severe weather this weekend and into early next week could impact millions of Americans, with the potential for thunderstorms, large hail, destructive winds and tornadoes, forecasters said Saturday. More than 180 million people could see severe weather through midweek, with more than two dozen states at risk, according to AccuWeather. The threat will start Saturday night, with hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and tornadoes that could impact cities including Dallas; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Topeka and Wichita, Kansas; Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri; and Des Moines, Iowa. Then on Sunday, the weather will shift further east and into the middle Mississippi Valley and portions of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, AccuWeather said. "On Sunday, we are probably looking at a dozen or two tornadoes," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. And to the north, ice, snow and sleet is expected in states from the Northern Plains into the Great Lakes region to New England where winter weather advisories blanketed Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and parts of New York, according to the National Weather Service. Light to moderate snow and freezing rain is expected in the New England states. "These amounts of ice are likely lead to tree damage and power outages," the weather service said. Saturday into Sunday, between 2 and 4 inches of snow is expected, with some higher amounts locally up to 8 inches, in northern Nebraska, southern South Dakota, central Minnesota, far northern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. More than 4 million people were under red flag warnings on Saturday across most of New Mexico and parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Gusty winds, higher-than-usual temperatures and low moisture levels put the area at "critical risk" for wildfires on Saturday and Sunday, the weather service said. Avoid open flames and sparks, don't park vehicles on dry grass and discard of cigarettes carefully, the weather service in Albuquerque warned Saturday, adding that winds will be at their strongest Saturday and again on Tuesday. An outbreak of wildfires in the Carolinas has forced evacuations and destroyed homes over the last 10 days. Firefighters in North Carolina were still battling blazes and fires continue to pop up. Though weather conditions are expected to improve Saturday, the risk for new fires continues. The largest fire in the region is the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, South Carolina, which doubled in size Friday and crossed the state line into Transylvania County in North Carolina. In North Carolina, large wildfires are burning in Polk County, the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires; Swain County, the Alarka Fire; and Haywood County, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, that has forced the closure of Shining Rock Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest. Carolina fire updates: Western NC wildfires blaze on Saturday, March 29 Contributing: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY; The Asheville Citizen Times This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Severe weather risk in forecast for millions as storm sweeps US
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Climate
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Western NC wildfires live updates Saturday, March 29: See the latest from around the region
The worst wildfires in the country right now are burning in Western North Carolina and the South Carolina Upstate Saturday, March 29, 10 days after some of the fires started. But fires continue to pop up, as was the case Friday with a 4-acre fire in Garren Creek in Buncombe County that firefighters contained. Hundreds of firefighters from across the country are battling the wildfires around the clock in WNC and the Upstate. Five hundred firefighting personnel have been battling the blazes in Polk County, where some residents have faced mandatory evacuations, as have residents in other counties such as Transylvania. Some homes have been destroyed. Only one injury has been reported. The largest fire in the region is the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, South Carolina, which doubled in size Friday and crossed the state line into Transylvania County in North Carolina. In North Carolina, large wildfires are burning in Polk County, the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires; Swain County, the Alarka Fire; and Haywood County, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, that has forced the closure of Shining Rock Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest. Weather conditions Saturday are expected to be less prime for fire spreading, but don't be fooled, the dangers of wildfires is high. Burn bans are still in effect across all of North Carolina and South Carolina, and fire risks persist. The Asheville Citizen Times will bring you live updates on wildfire conditions throughout Saturday. You can track the wildfires with our interactive fire map, which is updated hourly, shows where the fires are and has information about their size, origin and more. For more information on the fires and for a picture of how conditions have been developing, take a look at our live coverage from Friday, March 28, Thursday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 26. The National Weather Service says that for all of Western North Carolina, there is an increased fire danger from noon Saturday, March 29, through the evening. The good news is humidity levels will remain higher Saturday across WNC than on the previous three afternoons. "However, fine wildland fuels such as forest litter and small dead branches remain exceptionally dry," the NWS said in a statement issued at 4:01 a.m. Saturday. "The danger of wildfires remains elevated. Any outdoor fires that are started could spread quickly and be difficult to control." North Carolina remains under a statewide burn ban. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code Red air quality alert for Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties until midnight Saturday. Code Red means prolonged exposure to the air may be unhealthy for anyone. All residents should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and taking more breaks. Anyone sensitive to air pollution should avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Also, Code Orange is in place for Haywood, Macon, McDowell, Rutherford and Swain counties. Code Orange signifies air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults and people with asthma or heart conditions should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, take more breaks and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Western NC wildfires updates March 29: Where are the fires?
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
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South Carolina has a Very Large Airtanker fighting fires from above for first time
South Carolina is bringing in the big guns to fight the rapidly expanding Table Rock wildfire. Very Large Airtankers, a type of water-dropping airplane, are on the scene to help first responders. This is the first time in South Carolina history that this type of aircraft has been used in the state, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The VLAT is just one of five types of aircraft fighting the raging Table Rock Fire, which grew expansively on Thursday, charring nearly 8700 acres as of Thursday evening. The Table Rock Fire continues to rage on Friday, creeping north to burn in Transylvania County as well as the Upstate. Burn bans are in place across the two states and evacuation orders have been mandated for the affected counties. Table Rock Fire is the largest, but not the only, fire burning North Carolina. First responders are also battling a large fire in Polk County, the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires; Swain County, the Alarka Fire; and Haywood County, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire. Very Large Airtankers can deliver thousands of gallons of fire retardant at one time, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. It's the largest type of fire fighting airplane and can hold around 9,400 gallons of flame retardant. The aircraft can hover at least 250 feet above the burning land and deliver the retardant. This airtanker worked to contain the northeast end of the Table Rock fire on Thursday, March 27, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. There is a lot of air power in South Carolina Friday to help contain the wildfires. In addition to the VLAT, at least four other types of aircrafts are helping first responders dull the fire's rapid blaze. Large airtankers are on the scene. This plane can hold between 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of fire retardant or water to suprress wildfires. Single-engine airtanks offer additional support, with the capibility to carry 800 gallons fire retardant or water. Additionally, the South Carolina Law Enforcment Division and South Carolina National Guard are operating helicopters to fight the fire from above. See up-to-date information about the active wildfires in the region. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Fighting South Carolina wildfires: What airplanes first responders use
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
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Western NC wildfires live updates Friday, March 28: See the latest from around the region
Multiple wildfires continue to burn in Western North Carolina and the South Carolina Upstate Friday, March 28, some entering their second weeks of blaze. Thousands of acres have burned, and hundreds of firefighters from across the country are battling the wildfires around the clock. Evacuations have been ordered. Some homes have been destroyed. Only one injury has been reported. The largest fire in the region is the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, South Carolina, which crossed the state line into Transylvania County in North Carolina on Thursday, March 27. In North Carolina, large wildfires are burning in Polk County, the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires; Swain County, the Alarka Fire; and Haywood County, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire. Weather conditions Friday are prime for fire growth and additional fires. Burn bans are in effect across all of North Carolina and South Carolina. Air quality is poor in many North Carolina counties. The Asheville Citizen Times has reporters and photographers covering the fires Friday, and we'll bring you live updates on conditions throughout Friday. For more information on the fires and for a picture of how conditions have been developing, take a look at our live coverage from Thursday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 26. Also, our interactive fire map is updated hourly and has information about the size of the fires, where they are and more. Reporter Jacob Biba sent this in: During a March 28 morning news conference, Transylvania County Manager Jamie Laughter said the fire line of the Table Rock Fire is primarily located along the state border with South Carolina, with a spot fire reported at Busted Rock. All the fire activity is limited to state forest, Laughter said, and the closet fire is approximately half a mile from any structure. More evacuations may be ordered, she said. Local fire crews are still working on structure protection activities, and weather is not favorable, officials said. So far, there is no known damage to structures or reported injuries. The Black Cove Complex fires in Polk and Henderson counties consist of three fires, the Black Cove Fire, Deep Woods Fire and the Fish Hook Fire. As the most critical fire situation the the country, 500 firefighting personnel from North Carolina and across the country are working to control the fires, according to a Friday, March 28, news release from the N.C. Forest Service. Here are some details from the Forest Service: Black Cove Fire: Currently, the Black Cove Fire is 3,288 acres in size and 17% contained. The fire is burning in timber on state-owned and private land, approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda, in the Green River Gorge. The southwest portion of Black Cove remains a priority to secure the fire perimeter and protect homes within the Skyland Acres area. Strategic firing operations continued throughout the night to remove unburned fuels between containment lines and fire area around the Skyland Acres area. Due to the high relative humidity recovery last night, firing operations had minimal fire activity which led to a safe and slow burn which concluded at 3 a.m. The Black Cove Fire was first reported Wednesday, March 19. The cause of this fire was determined to be a downed powerline. Deep Woods Fire: Currently, the Deep Woods Fire is 3,373 acres in size and 30% contained. The fire is burning approximately 5 miles northwest of Columbus in timber on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge and in the neighboring Holbert Cove community. A combination of bulldozer and hand lines were utilized on the southeastern portion of the fire close to the Green River. By utilizing the containment lines, firefighters were able to complete successful strategic firing operations to protect homes close to Green River Road. The purpose of the firing operation is to bring strategic and slow-moving fire within the unburned fuels with the lower temperatures and elevated humidity levels overnight. A combination of wildland firefighters and structural firefighters were present throughout the night to ensure firing operations were safe and successful. Firefighters throughout the day shift will hold and strengthen this line. The Deep Woods Fire was first reported Wednesday, March 19. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fish Hook Fire: Currently, the Fish Hook Fire is 199 acres in size and 95% contained. The fire is burning approximately 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger. Containment is expected to increase in the coming days, and firefighters will remain on scene until the fire no longer poses a threat. The Fish Hook fire was first reported Thursday, March 20. The cause of this fire was determined to be a downed powerline. Headwaters State Forest is closed in southern Transylvania County, according to a Friday, March 28, Facebook post from the N.C. Forest Service. Here's the statement: Due to wildfires in the area, N.C. Forest Service officials have implemented a full public closure for Headwaters State Forest. This closure is necessary in the interest of public safety and to ensure wildland firefighters and personnel have safe access for response. This full public closure will remain in effect until further notice. Reporter Allison Kiehl provided a roundup of air quality alerts, and things are not looking good Friday, March 28, for many Western North Carolina counties. Henderson and Transylvania counties are under Code Purple. Code Purple is very unhealthy air quality. The general public is urged to avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Sensitive groups particularly susceptible to health impacts, including children, older adults and people with asthma or heart conditions, should avoid all outdoor physical activity in these conditions. Buncombe, Polk and Swain counties are under Code Red air quality. Code Red means prolonged exposure to the air may be unhealthy for anyone. All residents should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and taking more breaks. Anyone sensitive to air pollution should avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Macon and Rutherford counties are in a Code Orange situation. Code Orange signifies air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults and people with asthma or heart conditions should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, take more breaks and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. The Rattlesnake Branch Fire that started Wednesday, March 26, in the Haywood County community Cruso moved into Pisgah National Forest and has impacted the Shining Rock Wilderness area. The U.S. Forest Service closed the area Thursday. Here's an update from the USFS Facebook page: The Shining Rock Wilderness Area is closed for all uses, including the following trailheads: Little East Fork Shining Creek Big East Fork Mountains to Sea Trail Crossing at 215 Art Loeb Trail at Camp Daniel Boone Art Loeb trail crossing at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hikers should obey all signs and expect to see trail guards patrolling trails near firefighting areas. Please limit your travel in this area so as not to hinder the work of fire crews. If you have travel plans in Haywood County, check with your host for updates. Remember there is a burn ban in effect for the state of North Carolina. The Leicester Fire Department announced on Facebook Thursday night, March 27, that firefighters managed to get the Freedom Farm Fire under 60% containment. Here's the statement: One last update for the evening…it's been a long two days! The Freedom Farm Fire is at 130 acres with 60% containment. NC Forest Service has released all local fire departments but they remain on scene controlling the fire. Currently no structures are endangered. A fire has been burning in Sylva. Jackson County Emergency posted this update Thursday evening, March 27, on its Facebook page: Fire crews had a productive day on the fire near Sylva. The fire perimeter is secure, and burnout operations were successful. The footprint is 94 acres. While there may still be some smoke visible in the interior, it poses no threat to the fire lines. Friday, firefighters will check the line around the fire and continue to monitor. Some firefighters and air support have been released. Barring any changes, this will be our final update. We appreciate everyone's support. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for all of Western North Carolina from noon Friday, March 28, until 8 p.m., meaning fire danger is high. Here's what the warning says: Very dry conditions will develop again this afternoon. Wind gusts will once again be in the 20-25 mph range with a few gusts, especially along ridgetops, near 30 mph. Winds will remain gusty throughout the afternoon, then taper off around sunset. Fine fuel moisture is expected to once again fall to below 10% during the afternoon hours, which in conjunction with aforementioned dry and gusty weather will be favorable for the rapid spread of wildfires across the warned area. Jose Franco from the Greenville News provided this update on the fires burning in South Carolina: The Table Rock Fire grew significantly Thursday, while the Persimmon Ridge Fire saw only modest expansion. The Table Rock Fire is now estimated to be 8,679 acres, nearly double the 4,500 acres it had burned early Thursday, growing almost exclusively on the northern and western sides of the fire, according to infrared data obtained from a surveillance flight at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The fire burned up the North Carolina state line in several places. The Persimmon Ridge Fire grew to 1,992 acres Thursday, but according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, most of the additional acreage was the result of burnouts that crews could conduct between existing firebreaks and the active fire. Todd Runkle is the Carolinas Connect editor and also a trending news editor for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trunkle@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Western NC wildfires live updates March 28: Where are the fires?
