Latest news with #SouthernAreaBlueTeam
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Update on Transylvania County forest fires
TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – Transylvania County is currently under a State of Emergency due to danger from three forest fires. Here is the latest information: Pisgah National Forest Fire Estimated to be at 1,882, with containment percentage currently unknown. The US Forest Service is reported to be focusing on this fire. Persimmon Ridge Fire (South Carolina) Estimated at approximately 2,078 acres, and is now 24% contained. As of Sunday, March 30, the wildfire has not breached into the county. The Southern Area Blue Team working this area is expected to maintain the boundaries on the fire and are working towards further containment. Table Rock Fire (South Carolina) Estimated at approximately 11,468 acres, and is reported to be 9% contained. The Table Rock wildfire has breached state lines and into Transylvania County. Multiple fire crews have been utilizing techniques such as back burning to continue strengthening containment. There is currently a burn ban in place in the county. Evacuation areas are currently being evaluated, and are reportedly expected to begin reducing, and residents will be notified when it is safe to return home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Massive South Carolina wildfire jumps border, spreads into North Carolina
A massive wildfire burning for more than a week in South Carolina jumped the border Saturday and was spreading Sunday into North Carolina, where firefighters were already battling multiple blazes, officials said. The Table Rock Fire, which started on March 21 in the Table Rock State Park in Pickens County, South Carolina, had burned 11,468 acres total as of Sunday morning in both South Carolina and North Carolina, charring more than 500 acres overnight, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The Table Rock Fire is now the highest-priority fire in the United States as fire crews responded from multiple states to help battle the blaze, which prompted the evacuations of more than 1,400 homes and businesses on Thursday. As the fire spread across the border into North Carolina, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said firefighters had upped containment of the fire from 0% on Saturday to 9% by Sunday morning. Derrick Moore, operations section chief with the South Carolina Forestry Commission's Southern Area Blue Team, said fire crews are hoping that rain forecast for the area later Sunday and into Monday will help firefighters extinguish the flames. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said last week that investigators suspect the Table Rock Fire was started by four teenagers. He alleged that the negligent behavior of the teens caused the fire but declined to elaborate. 'They will be held accountable for their actions. I can promise you that," Blankenship said in a video posted to social media. Another fire, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, spread Saturday from South Carolina's Pickens County into western North Carolina's Transylvania County, according to an update Sunday from Transylvania County officials. The Rattlesnake Branch Fire in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest in Haywood County was burning close to the Transylvania County line but had not breached it, according to Transylvania County officials. The fire had burned nearly 1,900 acres and was 20% contained, according to the Sunday update. MORE: Video Thousands of acres scorched in Carolinas wildfires A third fire threatening to spread into Transylvania County is the Persimmon Ridge fire, which is burning in South Carolina near the Table Rock Fire and had grown to more than 2,000 acres as of Sunday afternoon. That fire also was threatening to jump the border into North Carolina, Transylvania County officials said. Meanwhile, in Polk County, North Carolina, three wildfires continue to burn but authorities said firefighters who have been battling the blazes for days had made significant progress. The Black Cove Complex Fire – comprised of three wildland blazes: the Black Cove Fire, the Deep Woods Fire and the Fish Hook Fire – had reached a combined 7,670 acres as of Sunday, according to Polk County officials. MORE: 3 major wildfires prompt evacuations in North Carolina's Polk County The Black Cove fire, which was started March 19 by a downed powerline, was 35% contained after burning 3,501 acres, officials said. The Deep Woods fire, which also started on March 19, has burned 3,970 acres, authorities said Sunday. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Fish Hook Fire, which started March 20 by a downed powerline, was 100% contained on Sunday after burning 199 acres, according to officials. Massive South Carolina wildfire jumps border, spreads into North Carolina originally appeared on
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire threat increases for Helene-ravaged Carolinas as work to contain existing fires continues
POLK COUNTY, N.C. - New Fire Weather Warnings were issued Friday across parts of western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina amid a nearly weeklong battle with wildfires that are burning some of the same areas devastated by Hurricane Helene six months ago. According to the FOX Forecast Center, winds are forecast to pick up Friday afternoon. Combined with low humidity, conditions are ripe for the rapid enhancement of the ongoing fires, which have already scorched more than 18,000 acres across the Carolinas. Both states are under statewide burn bans Friday due to the heightened fire danger. Both governors declared states of emergency earlier in the week. Meanwhile, officials said lingering damage and debris from Hurricane Helene has hampered the firefighting effort. 6 Months Later: Recovery From Helene Flooding Ongoing In North Carolina "The Helene damage is actually one of the biggest contributing factors to the difficulty in fighting this fire," said North Carolina Forest Service Supervisor Nicholas Hoffmann on Tuesday. "Because of all the damage, the landslides, the lack of access that it has created … in addition to the steep, steep terrain and the high winds we're having right now." Winds are forecast to blow from the northeastern direction Friday afternoon. According to the FOX Forecast Center, gusts are expected to be in the 20-25 mph range with a few gusts, especially along ridge tops, over 30 mph. Those gusts will taper off around sunset. Humidity is expected to increase across the region on Saturday, reducing the fire threat. Parts of Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia are under Elevated Fire Danger. Video Shows Intense Flames Around Florida Homes As Dozens Of Wildfires Burn Across State The largest wildfire is the Table Rock Fire, which has burned more than 8,000 acres in upstate South Carolina and is straddling the North Carolina state line. South Carolina firefighters said Friday morning that their main objective is to create containment lines with bulldozers and perform targeted burnouts ahead of the wildfire's anticipated direction. They're also hoping combined resources can hold the firelines. "Today, one of our main priorities for the team is fully integrating [North Carolina firefighters] with the South Carolina group and bridging all of those gaps," said Derrick Moore, operations section chief with the Southern Area Blue Team. The Table Rock Fire remains at 0% containment. The Black Cover Fire complex threatening Polk and Henderson counties in North Carolina is the highest priority fire in that state, according to forestry officials. It has burned more than 3,000 acres and is 17% contained as of Thursday evening. The fire destroyed more than a dozen homes in Polk County on Tuesday. What's The Difference Between A 'Controlled' Fire And A 'Contained' Fire? Degrading air quality has become a growing concern for the region as wildfire smoke expands. North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality has extended air quality advisories through Friday. In particular, people in Transylvania and Henderson counties are advised to avoid long or intense outdoor activities due to the smoke from the Table Rock Fire in South Carolina. Drivers are being told to be alert for smoke along Interstate 26. There are now at least seven areas of wildfire smoke impacting North Carolina air quality, officials said. The Rattlesnake Branch Fire in Cruso, North Carolina, grew to at least 400 acres and is sending smoke to nearby Asheville. Air quality in Asheville and Flat Rock in North Carolina dropped into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category Thursday. Video from Asheville showed the smoky haze filling the skies. Air quality conditions in Greenville and Spartanburg in South Carolina are only faring a little article source: Wildfire threat increases for Helene-ravaged Carolinas as work to contain existing fires continues
