Firefighters are battling the Black Cove Fire in Saluda, N.C. as more than 8 million people are under red flag warnings due to ongoing wildfires in the Carolinas. The wildfire risk also extends to Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and northern Georgia, with major cities like Atlanta, Asheville, Charlottesville, and Hagerstown facing threats. The critical fire conditions are a result of warm temperatures, strong winds exceeding 15 mph, and relative humidity levels of 25% to 30%. The highest fire threat is anticipated on the east side of the Appalachians due to westerly downsloping winds further drying out the landscape. Downed trees and dry vegetation leftover from Hurricane Helene’s damage last year are exacerbating the fire risk in the region. As of Wednesday, there are at least five active wildfires in North Carolina, mainly in Polk, Caldwell, and Swain counties. A statewide burn ban has been issued earlier this week in response to the escalating fire danger. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced that FEMA has approved a grant to aid in the state’s firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency and a statewide burn ban due to the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County. Severe weather is also anticipated in other parts of the country, with southern and southeast Texas facing a moderate flood risk, hail, high winds, and tornadoes in central Ohio to eastern Texas, and damaging winds from the Gulf Coast to the mid-Atlantic.
