Mandatory Evacuations Issued as Wildfires Burn in the Carolinas

Over 6,000 acres have burned in the Carolinas over the last few days, prompting the evacuation of thousands of people. Here is what you need to know about this developing situation.

Update on North Carolina Wildfires

Rising temperatures, powerful winds, low humidity levels, and dry conditions are working together to fuel wildfires through parts of the Carolinas. The worst of the fires are burning in the western part of North Carolina. This is the same area that was ravaged by last fall's Hurricane Helene.

The sheer volume of trees and leaves still left on the ground after Helene's wrath is providing tinder for the fires to ignite and grow. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety issued a mandatory evacuation on Saturday night for some areas of Polk County. This county is home to about 20,000 people approximately 80 miles to the west of Charlotte.

It has been challenging for local officials to get the word out about the fires due to spotty internet and cell phone coverage in the rural community. Residents are having to rely on word of mouth to get information about the ongoing situation.

The state agency is warning that visibility will continue to be a problem thanks to the thick smoke. Roads and key evacuation routes could also become blocked due to the encroaching flames.

As of the late Sunday update, the Black Cove Fire had burned over 2,000 acres. This blaze is burning about two miles to the northeast of Saluda, North Carolina. The Deep Woods Fire located about five miles northwest of the community of Columbus had burned over 2,500 acres. Both of these fires are uncontained.

The Fish Hook Fire singed just under 200 acres. This blaze is burning on a piece of private land near Lake Adger.