Firefighters make progress on containing Carolinas wildfires but warn danger persists

Firefighters make progress on containing Carolinas wildfires but warn danger persists

5 minutes ago Wildfire (Credit: WWAY News) AP News — Firefighters announced progress Wednesday night on containing two of the largest wildfires burning in the North Carolina mountains, but they warned that fire danger remained from dry and windy conditions. Hundreds of people have been asked to leave their homes in North Carolina and South Carolina as a half-dozen large fires are burning in the Blue Ridge Mountains, spreading smoke into places like Greenville. Millions of fallen trees from…

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Immediate evacuation order issued in Rutherford County due to wildfires

Immediate evacuation order issued in Rutherford County due to wildfires

With fires spreading, evacuations have been issued for Polk, Henderson, Rutherford, Greenville and Pickens counties in the Carolinas. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wildfires in both North Carolina and South Carolina are continuing to spread with litte-to-no containment. The biggest fires are within 20 miles of each other. In North Carolina, the Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires are now being tracked under the consolidated umbrella of the Black Cove complex. The fires, which started…

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National Guard saves firefighter trapped in wildfires

National Guard saves firefighter trapped in wildfires

The North Carolina National Guard rescued an injured firefighter trapped by a falling tree during wildfire operations in western North Carolina. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina National Guard rescued a firefighter injured while combating wildfires in western North Carolina on Tuesday. The firefighter sustained injuries during clearing operations approximately 20 miles south of Asheville. While on duty, a falling tree trapped the firefighter, resulting in a serious leg injury. A specialized seven-member rescue team,…

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Wildfire in Columbus County 100 percent contained

Wildfire in Columbus County 100 percent contained

44 seconds ago Photo: WWAY COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A wildfire that burned more than 300 acres near Lake Waccamaw has been fully contained. According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the wildfire was located near Crusoe Island Road and burned 343 acres. Property owner Ervin Etheridge lives near where the wildfire happened and spoke about what he saw. “It really turned into something you see on TV, especially lately when there’s so many…

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Air quality alert for Columbus County due to a wildfire

Air quality alert for Columbus County due to a wildfire

5 minutes ago Photo: MGN COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — An air quality alert is out for Columbus County due to a wildfire near Lake Waccamaw reported Tuesday afternoon. NCDEQ issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day due to a “rapidly growing” wildfire near Crusoe Island Road. According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the wildfire size 200 acres and is zero percent contained as of 4:55 p.m. This wildfire is ongoing, stay tuned…

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NC's largest wildfire has spread to a second county

NC's largest wildfire has spread to a second county

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  With over 5,000 acres burned, two of the biggest fires remain uncontained. As of Tuesday, the Black Cove Fire had burned an estimated 3,046 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 2,923 acres and also 0% contained….

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Hundreds flee homes as North Carolina wildfires rage through Polk County

Hundreds flee homes as North Carolina wildfires rage through Polk County

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  With over 5,000 acres burned, two of the biggest fires remain uncontained. As of Tuesday, the Black Cove Fire had burned an estimated 3,046 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 2,923 acres and also 0% contained….

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Wildfires in North and South Carolina fueled by drought, wind and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene

Wildfires in North and South Carolina fueled by drought, wind and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene

30 seconds ago In this March 23, 2025, photo released by the U.S. National Guard shows a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion, 59th Aviation Troop Command, McEntire Joint National Guard Base in Eastover executing its fire suppression mission in support of the South Carolina Forestry Commission at Persimmon Ridge Fire near Greenville, S.C. (Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Di Giovine/U.S. Army National Guard via AP) (AP) — Dry conditions, wind…

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New weather satellites are used to detect newly formed wildfires

New weather satellites are used to detect newly formed wildfires

When fires begin in rural areas, weather satellites in space are often the first to detect new smoke plumes. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The East Coast of the United States is getting a new watchful eye over its skies as the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration prepares to turn weather observations over to a new satellite. The new satellite launched on June 25, 2024 and has been in testing for the past nine months. It will replace…

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North Carolina invests in fortified roofs for hurricane preparedness

North Carolina invests in fortified roofs for hurricane preparedness

NC celebrated 15,000 fortified roofs as leaders push for storm-ready homes and tax-free grants to expand access amid rising climate risks and insurance costs. RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina reached a major milestone in coastal resilience Friday, celebrating the installation of its 15,000th fortified roof—an upgrade designed to protect homes from hurricane-force winds and heavy rain. The North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) hosted a luncheon Friday to mark the achievement. NCIUA has invested more…

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Wildfires prompt evacuation in the Carolinas as New Jersey crews battle their own blaze

Wildfires prompt evacuation in the Carolinas as New Jersey crews battle their own blaze

29 seconds ago (Photo: KAKE) POLK COUNTY, NC (AP) — Wildfires forced a mandatory evacuation Sunday in a North Carolina county still recovering from Hurricane Helene, and South Carolina’s governor declared an emergency in response to a growing wildfire in that state. Hundreds of miles north, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service was battling a blaze in the Wharton State Forest. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced a mandatory evacuation starting at 8:20…

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NC's biggest wildfires remain 0% contained

NC's biggest wildfires remain 0% contained

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More evacuations were issued in Polk County as crews three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  As of 7 p.m. Sunday, the Black Cove fire had burned an estimated 2,076 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 2,545 acres and also 0% contained….

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Over 200 firefighters from across NC battling Polk County wildfires; evacuations in place

Over 200 firefighters from across NC battling Polk County wildfires; evacuations in place

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More evacuations were issued in Polk County as crews three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  As of 7 p.m. Sunday, the Black Cove fire had burned an estimated 2,076 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 2,545 acres and also 0% contained….

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More evacuations ordered in Polk County as wildfires continue to spread

More evacuations ordered in Polk County as wildfires continue to spread

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More evacuations were issued in Polk County as crews three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  As of 12 p.m. Sunday, the Black Cove fire had burned an estimated 1,239 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 1,802 acres and also 0% contained….

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Polk County wildfires have burned thousands of acres, still uncontained

Polk County wildfires have burned thousands of acres, still uncontained

Polk County Emergency Management on Friday afternoon issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents of the Piney Gate area. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More evacuations were issued in Polk County as crews three massive wildfires continue to burn thousands of acres in western North Carolina.  As of 12 p.m. Sunday, the Black Cove fire had burned an estimated 1,239 acres and was 0% contained. The Deep Woods Fire is approximately 1,802 acres and also 0% contained….

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