Latest news with #StateEmergencyResponseTeam
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Governor Stein extends state of emergency for western NC wildfires
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — As wildfires continue to wreak havoc in western North Carolina, relief is being extended by the state and federal government. Governor Josh Stein announced Saturday that the state of emergency is extended for the next 30 days for 34 counties in NC. Wildfires have ravaged an already damaged part of the state, making it even harder for citizens to recover. 'I appreciate all of the first responders, emergency managers, state forest rangers, and state and local officials working hard to protect North Carolinians from wildfires,' said Governor Stein. 'I am extending this State of Emergency to ensure the State Emergency Response Team has every resource available to continue to respond to wildfires to protect people and property.' Here are the counties included among the state of emergency: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, as well as the tribal lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. PREVIOUSLY: Evacuation order issued as crews battle wildfire in western NC In the press release, the state's Department of Agriculture cited 2,348 wildfire incidents between March and April. A statewide burn ban was issued by the NC Forestry Service between March 21 and April 2. 'The spring wildfire season is off to a very busy start, which has kept the N.C. Forest Service, first responders and emergency management staff on their toes,' said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. The extension will continue to provide resources to assist counties by deploying firefighters and sending more logistical supplies and equipment. Also, the State Emergency Operations Center's 24-hour Watch Center will continue assisting counties with issuing evacuation orders through the Wireless Emergency Alert Network and through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. 'I appreciate the Governor extending the State of Emergency and making resources available, especially with the elevated risk of wildfires in Western NC,' said Troxler. 'I also urge people to use extreme caution when doing any burning.' FEMA previously announced on Monday that federal funds were authorized to help battle the Sam Davis Road wildfires in Swain County. They said the fire threatened approximately 70 homes in the Lower Alarka and Big Rockies Road area. Before that, FEMA provided federal funding for wildfires in Alarka — which is also in Swain County — the Table Rock Fire that started in South Carolina and spread to NC, and Black Cove in Polk and Henderson counties all back in March. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NC Gov. extends state of emergency for wildfires
(WSPA) – North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has extended a state of emergency order for parts of western North Carolina in response to wildfires in the region. Stein first declared a state of emergency due to the spread of wildfires in western North Carolina in March. His most recent order extends the declaration another 30 days. 'I appreciate all of the first responders, emergency managers, state forest rangers, and state and local officials working hard to protect North Carolinians from wildfires,' said Stein.'I am extending this State of Emergency to ensure the State Emergency Response Team has every resource available to continue to respond to wildfires to protect people and property.' Over the last two months officials with the N.C. Forest Service, as as well as first responders and emergency management staff have responded to 2,348 wildfire incidents spanning more than 23,000 acres, according to Steve Troxler, state agriculture commissioner. 'I appreciate the Governor extending the State of Emergency and making resources available, especially with the elevated risk of wildfires in Western NC. I also urge people to use extreme caution when doing any burning,' he said. As many communities continue to see dry conditions and the recurrence of wildfire activity, the State Emergency Response Team continues to maintain regular communication with the North Carolina Forest Service and with county emergency management offices to ensure first responders, state forest firefighters, and state forest rangers have the tools needed to keep people safe. The State of Emergency includes the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, as well as the tribal lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov. Stein issues State of Emergency for fire threat in Western NC, Charlotte metro
NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Gov. Josh Stein issued a State of Emergency Wednesday as wildfires continue to burn in the western part of the state. The order covers the Charlotte metro area west in into mountains and expands the state's capacity to respond to the wildfires burning in Polk and Rutherford counties. The governor and Emergency Management officials are urging North Carolinians to be aware of high fire danger conditions across the state. They urge all residents should to pay close attention to local emergency alerts and evacuation notifications. Wildfires are spreading as the threat for more continues 'The wildfires in western North Carolina continue to grow, so I have expanded our State of Emergency,' said Stein in a statement. 'Our State Emergency Response Team is responding with every tool at its disposal. Please stay safe and stay alert for any evacuation orders if the fires spread to an area near you.' The State Emergency Response Team has been assisting counties with resource and personnel needs since late last week. NC Emergency Management has deployed communications resources, tactical emergency telecommunicators, and incident management personnel to the scene. The North Carolina Forest Service is assisting with incident management and firefighting efforts and the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal has deployed fire department from across the state to western North Carolina to assist. The State of Emergency includes the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, as well as the tribal lands held by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov. Stein issues State of Emergency due to Western N.C. wildfires
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has issued a State of Emergency to expand the state's capacity to respond to wildfires burning in Western N.C. Governor Stein urges all North Carolinians to be aware of high fire danger conditions across the state and pay attention to emergency alerts and evacuation notifications. 'The wildfires in Western North Carolina continue to grow, so I have expanded our State of Emergency,' Governor Stein said. 'Our State Emergency Response Team is responding with every tool at its disposal. Please stay safe and stay alert for any evacuation orders if the fires spread to an area near you.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
