Evacuations expand in the Carolinas as wildfires rage in Hurricane Helene-ravaged areas
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. – 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 extended into Henderson County.
Emergency management officials in Henderson County issued mandatory evacuation orders for the Summer Haven community Tuesday evening, joining four other neighborhoods under mandatory evacuations. Nearly a dozen other nearby communities are being told to be ready to go.
The Black Cove Fire, which began last Wednesday, has burned 2,813 acres and had no containment as of Tuesday afternoon. Fire officials said it was started by a downed power line.
Meanwhile, the Deep Woods Fire has burned 2,742 acres and also remains 0% contained.
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.
Evacuations triggered in South Carolina wildfires too
NEW WILDFIRE NEARLY TRAPS DEPUTIES SEARCHING FOR HIKER MISSING WEEKS IN SOUTH CAROLINA WILDERNESS
Dozens of evacuation orders were also declared Tuesday evening in South Carolina's Greenville and Pickens County near the Persimmon Ridge Fire – part of the Table Rock Fire Complex, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
An air crew from the National Guard joined efforts to douse the Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. (SC National Guard )
An aircrew from the National Guard joined efforts to douse the Persimmon Ridge Fire, according to the South Carolina National Guard. The fire, which erupted on Sunday morning, had spread to ove 300 acres. The cause of the fire has not been reported.