Wildfires Burning in Area Impacted by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

A new wildfire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the same general area of last fall's deadly flooding in western North Carolina. Here is the latest information on the severe weather that continues to impact this weary region.

High Winds Spark Wildfires in North Carolina

Fire crews are working overtime in North Carolina to control a pair of wildfires that are burning through the western part of the state. This is the same area that experienced the devastating flash flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene last September.

The Crooked Creek Fire erupted Wednesday in McDowell County. This fire joined the existing North Fork Fire. High winds in this part of Appalachia amplified the fires.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the North Fork Fire is burning above the North Fork of the Catawba River. This spot is located in the rugged terrain of the Graveyard Mountains. As of Thursday morning, the North Fork Fire had burned 60 acres and was 0% contained.

Local officials have determined that the North Fork Fire was started after a power line fell to the ground during a period of high winds on Wednesday. A wind advisory was issued at midnight on Wednesday with winds clocking in at 15 to 25 mph and gusts approaching the 50 mph mark.

The Crooked Creek Fire is burning near Old Fort, located to the east of Asheville. This mountain community suffered severe devastation as a result of the heavy rain unleashed by Hurricane Helene. The community is still working to rebuild and recover from those losses.

McDowell County Emergency Management officials said the Crooked Creek Fire had scorched about 250 acres and is 55% contained as of Thursday morning. Crews were able to make good progress overnight thanks to lessening winds and an increase in humidity levels.

While the Crooked Creek Fire prompted evacuations on Wednesday, residents were able to return to their homes on Thursday morning. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths as a result of this fire, however, one house has been damaged and several outbuildings have been destroyed.

More wind in the forecast on Thursday continues to create difficult conditions for fire crews. Firefighters are currently prioritizing protecting structures as there are multiple residential buildings in the area.

Region Ripe for Wildfire Spread

It may seem counterintuitive that a region that was recently decimated by heavy rainfall is now dealing with wildfires. However, officials have been warning for months about the threat of fires in this region. The North Carolina Forest Service has noted that the dry vegetation has paired with the millions of fallen trees left by Helen to raise the risk of wildfire ignition and spread. Large areas of fallen trees near the firelines are currently making it more difficult for crews to gain a handle on the blazes.

In addition, portions of North Carolina are also grappling with ongoing drought conditions. A map issued by North Carolina’s State Climate Office indicates that the area producing the fires had been listed under the designation of an "extreme" wildfire risk. A large part of the state is also designated as being at a "high" risk.

For instance, Old Fort has only measured 0.58 inches of rain thus far in January. This compares to the historical average of just under 4 inches during this time period.

The timing of the January fires is somewhat unusual. This part of the country typically sees the greatest wildfire activity during the spring and fall months. Local officials are now warning residents that they need to take extra care as the busy spring wildfire season approaches.

Looking at the Weather Ahead

Looking at the upcoming forecast for the region, Asheville is going to get a helping hand from Mother Nature in the hours ahead. The city will continue to see periodic rain showers on Thursday. Highs will hover in the mid 50s with lows falling to about 46 degrees overnight. Despite the rain, humidity levels will remain at about 30%. Winds will also come in at speeds of 10 to 15 mph.

Friday's forecast in Asheville is calling for dry conditions early but more rain on tap for the afternoon. Fire crews will welcome the expectation of about a quarter of an inch of rain on Friday before the system moves out in the evening hours. Humidity levels will also jump on Friday, providing a bit of support to firefighters. Winds are also expected to ease on Friday.

The closest town to the North Fork Fire is Marion. This community is forecast to see just a slight chance of a rain shower on Thursday. Temperatures will top out at about the 60-degree mark before falling into the low 40s overnight. Weaker winds will assist crews on the scene.

The next chance of meaningful moisture in Marion will come on Friday afternoon with about a quarter of an inch expected. Friday's highs will reach the low 60s and pair with an overnight low of about 43 degrees. Like Asheville, humidity levels will also jump on Friday compared to Thursday's dry conditions.

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