With a red flag warning still in effect for Polk and Henderson counties, the National Interagency Fire Center is calling the Black Cove Complex Fire the “highest priority fire” in the Southern U.S., with over 300 personnel working to put out the blaze that has burned over 3,000 acres.
The red flag warning from Polk and Henderson Counties indicates the potential for severe fire behavior and the possibility of rapid fire spread. Firefighters continue preparing firebreaks and protecting structures in anticipation of elevated temperatures, high winds and low humidity on March 26.
Fire behavior was “intense” on March 25, the N.C. Forest Service said in a news release, as efforts remain complicated from downed debris and damaged infrastructure from Tropical Storm Helene. A firefighter was injured while responding to the Black Cove Fire on March 25. He was airlifted to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he received medical attention and is currently in stable condition, according to the N.C. Forest Service.
Henderson and Polk counties have issued a state of emergency in response to the two wildfires in the Green River Gorge. The Black Cove Fire was first reported on March 19, and the cause was a downed powerline. The cause of the Deep Woods Fire, first reported on March 19, is still under investigation.
Seven homes have been destroyed in the Black Cove Fire, while one home was destroyed in the Deep Woods Fire, according to Polk County. Collectively, the two fires have burned 10 outbuildings. The Fish Hook Fire has destroyed three homes, but fire growth has stagnated over the week.
N.C. Forest Service spokesperson E.J. Dwigans provided an update on the size of the fires in the Green River Gorge the evening of March 25. The Forest Service has not updated it’s estimates since.
- Black Cove Fire: 3,046 acres, 0% containment
- Deep Woods Fire: 2,923 acres, 0% containment
- Fish Hook Fire: 199 acres, 72% containment
The two larger fires are burning on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge through steep terrain heavily impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.
The Table Rock Fire in Upstate South Carolina, in Greenville and Pickens counties, grew rapidly to 2,293 acres on March 25 and is currently at 0% containment, the South Carolina Forestry Commission announced on social media. Due to the high possibility of the fire spreading across state lines to North Carolina on March 26, evacuation orders were issued in parts of Transylvania County, Connestee Fire Rescue said in a March 26 update.
An unnamed fire was reported by the N.C. Forest Service on the Public Fire Viewer on March 26 at 8:24 a.m. It was reported as a 500-acre fire near the Unahala and Alarka communities in Swain County.
Effective 8 a.m. Friday, March 21, a ban on all open burning was issued statewide. All burning permits are canceled. No new permits are being issued.
Evacuation orders
In response to the Black Cove Fire in Polk County, evacuation orders have been issued for residents who live along Lady Slipper Trail, Big Hungry Road, Spurgeon Cove Lane, English Heifer Cove Road, Deer Trail, Scarlets Mountain Road and Green River Cove Road addresses from 1091-1528.
In Henderson County, evacuation orders have been issued for Laurel Mountain View Road and Boulder View Road and for the Summer Haven community, including Macedonia Road east of Interstate 26, Skyland Acres Road, Knight Road, Summer Haven Lane and South Fine Way. Full evacuation preparations can be viewed on the Black Cove Complex Fire evacuation map, developed by the N.C. Forest Service and Henderson and Polk counties at https://tinyurl.com/bdfhcnx9.
The Bryson City Police Department in Swain County issued evacuation orders for the Alarka Community, including Long Creek Lane, Unahala Creek Road and Alarka Highlands Drive, the evening of March 25.
Polk County’s shelter for wildfire evacuees is located at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus. Henderson County’s emergency shelter is located at 708 South Grove Street, Hendersonville. The Alarka Community Center is acting as a shelter for those evacuated in Swain County. Transylvania County Emergency Management has opened a shelter at the Transylvania Recreation Department located 1078 Ecusta Road in Brevard.
Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at [email protected].
