Latest news with #NorthCarolinaDepartmentofAgriculture
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Disaster Crop Loss Program to impact Pitt County Farmers
GREENVILLE, N.C (WNCT)- The North Carolina Department of Agriculture is enforcing the Agricultural Disaster Crop loss program. The Pitt County Cooperative Extension, along with all its state partners, have the ability to apply for a piece of the grant because of the extreme weather conditions from 2024. The General Assembly allocated $311 million for the program and $111 million will be allocated to Pitt County alone. In 2024, a three-month drought and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby left Pitt County farmers with $10 million in crop loss and 80 percent reduction in corn yield specifically. The grant is going to be a huge help for farmers trying to get back on their feet after an unforgiving year of weather. 'We are here to decrease your inputs and maximize your yields at the end of the day, that's our job, to make sure that you get your crop in the ground at lowest cost to get the highest yield back,' Crop Specialist, Cooperative Extension, Jonathan Smith said. 'So, for the application process we're setting up appointments. You can call the local extension office, and we'll make an appointment. You can come in. It's going to take about 30 minutes to go through the application,' Smith said. 'You need to bring your 578 form from FSA. And you also need to bring a W-9, which is an IRS form. And we'll go through that and none of your information is going to be saved. It's just going to go through the process and make sure that we get your application in time. The deadline is May 4th, and the application opened to April 1st.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Latest updates on the Black Cove Complex fire
POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) has shared the latest information on the Black Cove Complex in Polk and Henderson County. As of March 29, there are over 490 personnel, both from North Carolina and out-of-state, that are assigned to the Black Cove Complex. The NCDA stated that firefighters from over 14 states have come over to assist. Black Cove Fire On March 29, the Black Cove Fire was reported to have reached up to 3,500 acres, and is now 35% contained. The fire burning on state-owner and private land, and is approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda. Deep Woods Fire As of March 29, the Deep Woods Fire has reportedly burned almost 4,000 acres, and is 32% contained. The fire is burning 5 miles northwest of Columbus on state-owned and private land. Crews were reportedly able to secure containment lines in the Holbert Cove and Cove Mountain areas, and are hoping for further containment with the upcoming favorable weather. Fish Hook Fire As of March 29, the Fish Hook Fire is reported to be 100% contained. Almost 200 acres were burned in the process. The fire was 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring. Officials said that, due to the recent humid weather conditions, the fire behavior has decreased as suppression and repair efforts continue to hold stead. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Carolina wildfires: High winds, low humidity significantly increase threat
Strong winds and low humidity could create significant problems for firefighers in the Carolinas on Friday, as wildfires continue to rage throughout both states, officials said. Red flag warnings are in place for the western Carolinas on Friday with wind gusts reaching 30 mph and a relative humidity as low as 20%, officials said. "The concern is, until they are contained, we have to be on alert," North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said Thursday. The high winds come as fires are already raging across both states. In North Carolina, the Black Cove Complex Fire, located about 30 miles southeast of Asheville, is the highest priority fire in the United States, burning nearly 7,000 acres, according to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. As of Thursday, the Deep Woods Fire, located 5 miles northwest of Columbus, North Carolina, has burned 3,373 acres and is 30% contained, officials said. MORE: 3 major wildfires prompt evacuations in North Carolina's Polk County Several other fires continue to blaze in North Carolina, including the Alarka Fire in Swain County, which has burned 911 acres and is only 5% contained, and the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, which has torched 629 acres and is 5% contained, officials said. Additionally, the Freedom Farm Fire has burned 130 acres and is 60% contained, according to the Leicester Fire Department. A statewide ban on outdoor burning remains in effect in North Carolina, officials said. In South Carolina, the Table Rock Complex Fire -- located on the South-Carolina-North Carolina border -- spread significantly on Thursday, burning 8,769 acres with a perimeter of 34.8 miles, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Officials said weather conditions on Friday are a "concern for increased fire activity." As of Thursday, the Table Rock Complex Fire is zero percent contained, with more than 1,400 homes and businesses evacuated, the forestry commission said. Additionally, the Permission Ridge Fire, located in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, grew to 1,992 acres and is zero percent contained as of Thursday evening, the forestry commission said in a statement. On Friday, firefighters "hope to complete burnouts of existing unburned areas and focus on improving and holding existing firebreaks," the forestry commission said. An elevated fire risk is also in place for most of Georgia, Virginia and eastern Tennessee, officials said. There have not been any reported injuries from any of the wildfires. Rain will move in on Sunday and Monday, which could alleviate firefighters and help diminish the flames, officials said. Carolina wildfires: High winds, low humidity significantly increase threat originally appeared on
