Wildfires ravage North Carolina regions still reeling from Hurricane Helene

Firefighters scrambled Wednesday afternoon to contain a wildfire that forced evacuations in a part of western North Carolina that was ravaged by Helene in the fall.

Firefighters in western North Carolina continue to battle several wildfires that sparked Wednesday in areas ravaged by Hurricane Helene in September still struggling to recover.

The North Fork Fire fire is burning in rugged terrain above the North Fork of the Catawba River in the Graveyard Mountain area and is estimated at 200 acres, 20% contained as of Friday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Smoke from the fire is affecting residents in McDowell County, according to the U.S. Forest Service which added that as a result of hurricane damage to trees, the amount of downed fuels in the forest that are burning are contributing to more smoke than past wildfires in the area.

"Prior to Hurricane Helene, most fuels were small twigs and leaves. Now, some large fuels, such as big, downed trees, are burning for longer, meaning extended smoke impacts. Additional fires in the county are also contributing to regional smoke. Cloudy conditions are not allowing smoke to disperse, meaning higher levels are staying in our communities," spokesperson Lisa Jennings said in a statement on Facebook.

The Crooked Creek Fire, which also ignited Wednesday just east of Helene-ravaged Asheville, is 100% contained after burning nearly 220 acres, according to McDowell County Emergency Management. The North Carolina Forest Service has confirmed that the fire was caused by a fallen power line.

There have been no injuries or fatalities reported. However, one home sustained damage, and multiple outbuildings were destroyed.

“High winds continue to create dangerous fire conditions,” McDowell County Emergency Management wrote in a news release. Despite the incredible amount of rainfall that Hurricane Helene dumped on the region and the resulting catastrophic flooding, officials have warned about elevated risks of wildfire.

The NC Forest Service said that rapidly drying conditions, debris from millions of trees Helene knocked down and wind have created conditions right for fires to readily ignite and easily escape.

"Hurricane response efforts by U.S. Forest Service crews cleared tree fall from the roads; however, large areas of downed trees within the fire area and near the firelines are leading to increased fire behavior," Lisa Jennings explained.

Drought conditions persist in parts of North Carolina, particularly in the eastern half where Helene caused incredible destruction and the region where the wildfires broke out, making it more difficult to fight any wildfires that break out as well as make it easier for them to reignite.

A fire risk map maintained by North Carolina’s State Climate Office showed the area where the fire erupted was at “extreme” risk of wildfire with much of the state at a "high" risk.

The region’s fire seasons occur in spring and fall, but fires in January are not unusual, Kathie Dello, the North Carolina state climatologist told the Washington Post. "The conditions were ripe for fire,” Dello said.

State officials are urging people in the region to take precautions against wildfires before wildfire season begins in a few weeks.

“Even though we’re still a few weeks from the official start of spring wildfire season, now is the time for homeowners to be thinking about simple steps they can take to reduce risk in the home ignition zone by creating a defensible space,” state Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement.

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