In a concerning turn of events, wildfires have prompted a mandatory evacuation in Polk County, North Carolina. Emergency crews are battling several fires in an area that is still in the recovery phase following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety issued the evacuation order at 8:20 p.m. on Saturday, affecting residents in western North Carolina, approximately 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Charlotte.
The public safety department emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that “visibility in the area will be reduced and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked.” They stressed that failing to evacuate promptly could result in residents being trapped, injured, or killed. To assist those displaced, a shelter has been set up in Columbus, North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina Forest Service’s online wildfire public viewer, there are currently three active fires in Polk County. The two largest fires range in size from 1.7 square miles (4.4 square kilometers) to 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers). Additionally, two other fires are reported in nearby Burke and Madison counties, while another wildfire is ongoing in Stokes County, located on the northern border with Virginia.
In neighboring South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Saturday to combat a growing wildfire named the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County. This fire ignited the previous day in a region within the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. Governor McMaster stated that the declaration allows for rapid mobilization of resources to ensure that firefighters receive the necessary support to protect lives and property.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission had previously issued a statewide outdoor burning ban on Friday, which reinforces the seriousness of the wildfire situation. Local fire officials have recommended voluntary evacuations for residents near Table Rock Mountain, as the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office provided updates about fire operations. They announced that firefighting efforts would pause until Sunday morning, with ground crews and machinery supported by helicopters and air tankers.
The Table Rock Fire has grown to approximately 110 acres (45 hectares), and the public is advised to avoid state Highway 11 during this time. This incident adds to the challenges faced by North Carolina's western region, which is still recovering from the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene in September. The hurricane resulted in flooding that washed away over a mile (1.6 kilometers) of eastbound lanes on Interstate 40, impacting traffic for months.
In total, Hurricane Helene damaged or affected 5,000 miles (8,046 kilometers) of state-maintained roads and impacted 7,000 private roads, bridges, and culverts in North Carolina. As the region grapples with wildfires and the aftermath of the hurricane, the need for community safety and awareness remains paramount.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is also engaged in firefighting efforts, tackling a wildfire that erupted in the Wharton State Forest on Saturday. As of early Sunday morning, the fire had consumed approximately 2.7 square miles (7 square kilometers), with firefighters having contained about half of the blaze. Emergency officials have taken precautionary measures by evacuating two campgrounds in the park. Fortunately, although 18 buildings are in proximity to the fire, the flames are moving away, and no structures have been evacuated thus far. The cause of this wildfire is currently under investigation.
As communities face the dual challenges of wildfires and the lingering effects of hurricanes, it is crucial for residents to stay informed and heed evacuation orders and safety advisories. Continuous updates from local authorities will provide guidance as these situations develop.
