State of emergency declared as wildfires ravage the Carolinas, threaten hurricane recovery
Six months after Helene ravaged parts of North Carolina, the region is dealing with wildfires fueled by a large number of trees brought down by the storm and officials are concerned the two largest fires could merge.
There’s little relief for fire raging in the Carolinas right now, but the last two days of March could bring some much-wanted rain.
Key Takeaways:
North Carolina: There are dozens of wildfires burning across 8,443 acres, according to the North Carolina Forest Service wildfire map.
•Black Cove Complex Fire: 3,052 Acres, 17% Contained, 7 homes destroyed.
•Deep Woods Fire: 3,231 Acres, 11% Contained, 1 home destroyed.
South Carolina: At least 30 wildfires have burned across 9,203 acres, according to the South Carolina's Forestry Commission.
•Table Rock Fire: 4,556 acres, 0% containment.
•Persimmon Ridge Fire: 1,553 acres, 0% containment.
The Black Cove Complex Fire raging in western North Carolina is now the "highest priority fire in the U.S., the state Forest Service said.
The fire is among dozens burning across the Carolinas, fanned by strong winds and low humidity and risking more damage to some areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
A "Home Sweet Home" sign is seen outside a home that was destroyed by a fire on March 23, 2025 in Columbus, North Carolina. (Photo credit: Allison Joyce/Getty Images)
Six months after Helene ravaged parts of the state, the region is dealing with dozens of wildfires fueled by a large number of trees brought down by the storm.
The biggest fire, the Black Cove Complex Fire, is burning approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda in Polk County. The fire has charred just over 3,000 acres and is now 17% contained. At least seven homes have been destroyed, and many others structures are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for several neighborhoods with hundreds of Polk County residents forced from their homes for several days as the spread into Henderson County.
"Counties affected by these wildfires are under a State of Emergency, which allows emergency services the resources and flexibility they need to do their jobs," Gov. Josh Stein posted on X Wednesday morning. "Residents, please make sure you have emergency alerts on and pay attention to evacuation orders."
Officials are worried the Black Cove Complex fire will combine with the Deep Woods Fire which is also burning a few miles from the small town of Saluda. The Deep Woods fire has scorched 3,231 acres and is 11% contained. At least one home has been destroyed by this fire and more than 100 houses have been evacuated amid mandatory orders.
Troutman Fire Department firefighter Sam Mills watches a backburn preventative fire to stop the spread of the Deepwoods Fire in Columbus, North Carolina. (Photo credit: Allison Joyce/Getty Images)
“These two fires could possibly converge this week,” said NC Forest Service spokesman EJ Dwigans. “We have updated maps we’re going to have at our community meeting tonight. Everyone is going to tell you we need more resources on this fire. The winds are extremely high, and that’s what folks are dealing with in the field right now."
•Click here for latest evacuations, emergency shelters and other crucial wildfire information
A battle against multiple wildfires is underway in rural parts of North Carolina and South Carolina.
How Hurricane Helene is contributing to the wildfires
The fires have been difficult to contain due to timber downed by Hurricane Helene. The powerful storm, which swept through the region six months ago, left behind a trail of destruction that is now proving to be a major obstacle.
"The terrain in this area is steep and rugged, which poses challenges on its own. Add storm debris and landslides to the already existing challenges terrain present and direct attack becomes substantially more difficult," the NC Forest Service said. "Firefighters start constructing a fire line and reach an impassable point at which line construction is relocated and started again."
Debris from Hurricane Helene litters the side of the road as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina. (Photo credit: Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Earlier this month, the National Hurricane Center released a final report on Hurricane Helene, finding it claimed the lives of 248 people, including 106 in North Carolina.
“In my career, 20-year career, this is the most fuel I’ve seen on the ground,” North Carolina Forest Service spokesperson Jeremy Waldrop told WLOS, describing the large number of leaves and trees that fell during the hurricane.
Debris from Hurricane Helene litters the riverbank as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, 2025 in Polk Coutny near Saluda, North Carolina. Recovery efforts continue along the Green River in Western North Carolina nearly six months after Hurricane Helene. (Photo credit: Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Weary residents can only watch and wait
Just months after Helene, exhausted residents of North Carolina now find themselves battling a relentless wave of wildfires. Communities remain on edge, anticipating evacuation orders at any moment.
“We live in a rural area, and so not everyone has internet here or even has great cell service,” Polk County resident Melissa Holland told fire officials at a community meeting. “It’s very spotty,” she added, saying many residents rely on neighbors and word of mouth to hear about evacuation orders.
A code red air quality alert was issued Wednesday for parts of Polk and Swain counties by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. A code red alert means that prolonged exposure to air may be unhealthy for anyone and everyone should limit outdoor activity. Those sensitive to air pollution, including children, older adults and people with asthma, should avoid going outdoors today.
Wildfires also burning in South Carolina
Dry air and gusty winds are also fanning the flames of several large wildfires burning in the mountainous areas of Greenville and Pickens County in South Carolina and forcing new mandatory evacuations. The state Forestry Commission said the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge wildfires experienced "extreme fire behavior" Wednesday, prompting a new round of evacuations.
"Another day of extreme fire behavior on both incidents today prompted a new round of evacuations and led to a second straight day of rapid expansion of both wildfires," according to a press release from South Carolina's Forestry Commission.
Smoke rises ominously from the Table Rock Fire, which turned the skies orange as the sun appeared with an eerie reddish glow. The fire has caused poor air quality and prompted evacuations.
The Table Rock Fire exploded to 4,556 acres with 0% containment as of Thursday morning, and the Persimmon Ridge Fire grew to 1,1553 acres with 0% containment. Four teenage hikers accidentally started the fire, according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, and due to the dry conditions, it quickly spread out of control.
More than 1,400 homes, businesses and other structures have been evacuated. Wildfire smoke was sweeping across Pickens, Oconee, Greenville and Spartanburg counties. The fast-spreading fire has prompted the closure of Table Rock Park along with Caesars Head State Park and Jones Gap State Park.
A Red Flag Warning is in place for portions of Northeast Georgia, Upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina and an Increased Fire Danger for the rest of the area.
The combination of low relative humidity and all the dry fuels will increase fire danger through Sunday so burn bans are in effect across both North Carolina and South Carolina until further notice. The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state.
Unfortunately, there is no significant rain in the forecast for the Carolinas until Sunday into Monday, when thunderstorms will impact Eastern states.
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