Multiple wildfires burn in Carolinas as Hurricane Helene debris proves challenge for firefight
The Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires continue burning in Polk County, an area devastated by Helene almost six months ago.
Smoke billows from Polk County, NC, wildfire as evacuations ordered
Smoke from the Black Cove Fire in Polk County, North Carolina, was seen wafting skyward on Sunday. This video, shared to X by Grant Finch, captures the massive smoke cloud as seen from Peter Guice Bridge.
POLK COUNTY, N.C. – Three wildfires in western North Carolina are proving challenging for firefighters to beat because of rough terrain and debris left behind by Hurricane Helene.
The Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires continue burning in Polk County, an area devastated by Helene almost six months ago.
The Black Cove Fire, which began last Wednesday, has burned 2,813 acres and had no containment as of Monday afternoon. Fire officials said it was started by a downed power line.
![SALUDA, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: A motorist navigate a flood damaged road as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina. Recovery efforts continue along the Green River in Western North Carolina nearly six months after Hurricane Helene. Three large wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres as evacuation orders were issued for parts of Polk County]()
Image 1 of 7A motorist navigate a flood damaged road as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
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Image 2 of 7Troutman Fire Department firefighter Sam Mills (left) and Deputy Chief of Troutman Fire Department Jimmy Kestler (right) work a backburn preventative fire to stop the spread of the Deepwoods Fire on March 23, 2025 in Columbus, North Carolina. (Allison Joyce/Getty Images)
![SALUDA, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Debris from Hurricane Helene litters the side of the road as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina. Recovery efforts continue along the Green River in Western North Carolina nearly six months after Hurricane Helene. Three large wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres as evacuation orders were issued for parts of Polk County.]()
Image 3 of 7Debris from Hurricane Helene litters the side of the road as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
![COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 23: The Deepwoods Fire is seen on March 23, 2025 in Columbus, North Carolina. According to authorities evacuation orders were issued Sunday for parts of Polk County, North Carolina, where three large wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres combined, with two of the blazes remaining out of control. (]()
Image 4 of 7The Deepwoods Fire is seen on March 23, 2025 in Columbus, North Carolina. (Allison Joyce/Getty Images)
![SALUDA, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Debris from Hurricane Helene litters the side of the road as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina. Recovery efforts continue along the Green River in Western North Carolina nearly six months after Hurricane Helene. Three large wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres as evacuation orders were issued for parts of Polk County.]()
Image 5 of 7Debris from Hurricane Helene litters the side of the road as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
![A view of the Black Cove Fire burning in Polk County, North Carolina.]()
Image 6 of 7A view of the Black Cove Fire burning in Polk County, North Carolina. (Polk County Local Government/Facebook)
![COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 23: A "Home Sweet Home" sign is seen outside a home that was destroyed by a fire on March 23, 2025 in Columbus, North Carolina. According to authorities evacuation orders were issued Sunday for parts of Polk County, North Carolina, where three large wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres combined, with two of the blazes remaining out of control.]()
Image 7 of 7COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 23: A "Home Sweet Home" sign is seen outside a home that was destroyed by a fire on March 23, 2025 in Columbus, North Carolina. According to authorities evacuation orders were issued Sunday for parts of Polk County, North Carolina, where three large wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres combined, with two of the blazes remaining out of control. (Allison Joyce)
Meanwhile, the Deep Woods Fire is the largest at 2,742 acres and also remains 0% contained.
Officials said evacuation orders are in place for several areas surrounding the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires. The communities under evacuation orders in Polk County are near the Henderson County line.
Emergency management officials in Henderson County issued a voluntary evacuation notice on Sunday to residents in the Laurel Mountain View Road and Boulder View Road areas because of the fires in neighboring Polk County.
The Fish Hook Fire has burned 199 acres and is 69% contained. Officials said at least six structures have been lost in the fire.
The North Carolina Forest Service said the area surrounding the wildfires received a little rainfall on Monday, but the fires remain active. The agency said aircraft are dropping water onto the fires, while bulldozers assist firefighters on the ground.
A chinook helicopter scoops up water to drop on the Fish Hook Fire in Polk County, North Carolina.
(Polk County Local Government/Facebook)
On Saturday, Polk County received a "red" air quality alert, and the North Carolina Forest Service advised residents not to go outside for a prolonged period. A burn ban is in effect throughout the state of North Carolina. Air quality began to moderate by Tuesday morning.
An aircrew from the National Guard joined efforts to douse the Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville, South Carolina, according to the South Carolina National Guard. The fire, which erupted on Sunday morning, had spread to around 100 acres. The cause of the fire has not been reported.
An air crew from the National Guard joined efforts to douse the Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday.
(SC National Guard )