In Polk County, N.C., fresh Fire Weather Warnings were issued on Friday for parts of western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina as wildfires continue to ravage areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene six months ago. The FOX Forecast Center predicts increasing winds on Friday afternoon, combined with low humidity, creating favorable conditions for the fires that have already consumed over 18,000 acres across the Carolinas. Both states have implemented statewide burn bans due to the heightened fire risk, with governors declaring states of emergency earlier in the week.
The firefighting efforts have been hindered by the lasting damage and debris from Hurricane Helene. North Carolina Forest Service Supervisor Nicholas Hoffmann highlighted the challenges faced, stating, “The Helene damage is actually one of the biggest contributing factors to the difficulty in fighting this fire.” The rugged terrain, landslides, and limited access, along with high winds exacerbate the situation.
The forecast indicates winds blowing from the northeastern direction on Friday afternoon, with gusts reaching 20-25 mph and possibly exceeding 30 mph, especially along ridge tops. Humidity is expected to rise on Saturday, lowering the fire risk. Parts of Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia are also under Elevated Fire Danger.
The Table Rock Fire, spanning over 8,000 acres along the North Carolina-South Carolina border, remains the largest wildfire. South Carolina firefighters are focused on creating containment lines and conducting burnouts to control the fire’s spread. The fire has yet to be contained.
In North Carolina, the Black Cover Fire complex poses a significant threat, having burned more than 3,000 acres and destroyed multiple homes in Polk County. Air quality concerns have escalated as wildfire smoke spreads, prompting the Department of Environmental Quality to extend air quality advisories. Residents in affected areas are advised to limit outdoor activities due to the smoke.
As the wildfires continue to rage, authorities are urging caution and vigilance, with multiple areas of North Carolina facing air quality impacts from the ongoing fires.
Fires are producing smoke that is drifting towards Asheville. Air quality in Asheville and Flat Rock, North Carolina has reached unhealthy levels for sensitive groups on Thursday. Footage from Asheville reveals a thick haze in the air. Air quality in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina is slightly better but still concerning.
