More than 100 personnel from multiple agencies, including the state fire department, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and local emergency crews, are actively working to contain the fires.
North Carolina Fires Force Evacuations
In North Carolina, three active wildfires in Polk County have prompted evacuation orders:
- Black Cove Fire (near Saluda) – Over 3,000 acres burned and remains uncontrolled.
- Deep Woods Fire (near Columbus) – More than 2,900 acres burned and is not contained.
- Fish Hook Fire (near Lake Adger) – 199 acres burned, with 72% containment.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety issued mandatory evacuation orders on March 22 for parts of Polk County, warning residents of potential roadblocks and reduced visibility due to heavy smoke.
“If you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed,” the department stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Nearly 250 firefighting personnel are on the ground working to contain the fires, which have already destroyed at least 11 homes. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries.
Air Quality Concerns and Fire Bans
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued a Code Red air quality alert for Polk County due to dense smoke, warning that prolonged exposure could be hazardous to public health.
