- National memorial to honor NC firefighter who died on duty during Hurricane Helene
- Gov. Josh Stein extends State of Emergency for western NC wildfires
- Gov. Stein extends state of emergency for NC wildfire threat
- Governor Stein extends state of emergency for NC wildfire threat
- Governor Stein extends emergency in 34 NC counties amid wildfire threat
Governor Stein extends state of emergency for NC wildfire threat
Governor Josh Stein has extended the State of Emergency for 34 counties in North Carolina due to ongoing wildfire threats.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Governor Josh Stein extended the state of emergency for western North Carolina wildfires in 34 counties for an additional 30 days, his office announced Saturday.
This extension aims to ensure that the State Emergency Response Team has all necessary resources to continue protecting people and property from the ongoing wildfire threat, Stein said.
“I appreciate all of the first responders, emergency managers, state forest rangers, and state and local officials working hard to protect North Carolinians from wildfires,” He said.
North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray praised the efforts of local emergency managers and public safety personnel.
“I remain incredibly proud of our state’s local emergency managers and public safety personnel, and they have done a tremendous job with managing these wildfires since March,” Ray said. “From issuing evacuation orders, to opening shelters for those displaced, to working closely with state and federal forest service personnel to support the response, they remain a critical part of public safety here in North Carolina.”
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler highlighted the busy start to the spring wildfire season, noting that the N.C. Forest Service, first responders, and emergency management staff have already responded to 2,348 wildfire incidents involving over 23,000 acres in March and April.
As dry conditions persist and wildfire activity continues, the State Emergency Response Team maintains regular communication with the North Carolina Forest Service and county emergency management offices to ensure that first responders, state forest firefighters and state forest rangers have the tools needed to keep people safe.
Since March, the State Emergency Response Team has been assisting counties with resource and personnel needs.
North Carolina Emergency Management remains in close coordination with counties and has worked with the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal and the North Carolina Forest Service to deploy firefighters, logistical supplies, and equipment to communities needing assistance. Additionally, the State Emergency Operations Center’s 24-Hour Watch Center has assisted counties with issuing evacuation orders through the Wireless Emergency Alert Network and the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to inform residents potentially in the path of a wildfire.
The State of Emergency includes the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, as well as the tribal lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.