Evacuations expand in Carolinas as wildfires rage in Hurricane Helene-ravaged areas
In North Carolina, the Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires continue burning in Polk County, an area devastated by Helene almost six months ago.
Hurricane Helene-hit areas of North Carolina now face wildfire evacuations
Wildfires are raging through several North Carolina communities already struggling to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. These fires, burning in areas hit hard by the late September storm's rain and flooding, are proving particularly challenging to combat due to the existing damage.
POLK COUNTY, N.C. – More evacuations were ordered in western North Carolina and parts of South Carolina as firefighters continue to battle multiple wildfires raging in areas still cleaning up from Hurricane Helene.
In North Carolina, the Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires continue burning in Polk County, an area devastated by Helene almost six months ago.
Officials said evacuation orders are in place for several areas surrounding the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires in Polk County. On Tuesday, evacuation orders were extended into Henderson County.
Emergency management officials in Henderson County issued mandatory evacuation orders for the Summer Haven community on Tuesday evening. Four other neighborhoods are also under mandatory evacuation orders. Nearly a dozen other nearby communities are being told to be ready to go.
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.
The Black Cove Fire, which began last Wednesday, has burned over 3,000 acres and had no containment a week later. Fire officials said it was started by a downed power line.
![Smoke rises from a mountain ridge near storm debris and heavy machinery at the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina.]()
Image 1 of 8Smoke rises from a mountain ridge near storm debris and heavy machinery at the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
![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 2 of 8A 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 3 of 8Troutman 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 4 of 8Debris 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 5 of 8The 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 6 of 8Debris 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 7 of 8A 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 8 of 8A "Home Sweet Home" sign is seen outside a home that was destroyed by a fire on March 23, 2025 in Columbus, North Carolina. (Allison Joyce/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Deep Woods Fire has burned nearly 3,000 acres and also remains 0% contained. The Fish Hook Fire has burned about 200 acres and is nearly 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 this week, 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.
Evacuations also triggered in South Carolina wildfires
Dozens of evacuation orders were also declared Tuesday evening in South Carolina's Greenville and Pickens counties near the Persimmon Ridge Fire – part of the Table Rock Fire Complex, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
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The fire erupted on Sunday morning and spread to over 300 acres. The cause 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 )