Steve Troxler, Commissioner | North Carolina Department Of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Steve Troxler, Commissioner | North Carolina Department Of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Firefighters are working to control three wildfires in Polk County, North Carolina. The N.C. Forest Service Red Team took command of the situation on March 22. This group of fires includes the Black Cove, Deep Woods, and Fish Hook fires, with 249 personnel from North Carolina and other states involved in the efforts.
The Black Cove Fire was first reported on March 19 and has reached 2,076 acres. It is located on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge, about two miles northeast of Saluda. The fire remains uncontained as it burns through timber on steep terrain. Firefighting crews are constructing control lines to prevent it from spreading into nearby neighborhoods. Evacuation orders are in place for several areas including Green River Cove Road addresses from 1091 to 1528, Lady Slipper Trail, Big Hungry Road, Spurgeon Cove Lane, English Heifer Cove Road, Deer Trail, and Scarlets Mountain Road.
The Deep Woods Fire also began on March 19 and covers 2,545 acres. It is burning in the Green River Gorge and Holbert Cove community near Columbus. Like the Black Cove Fire, it is burning timber on steep terrain without containment so far. Firefighters are focusing their efforts on protecting structures at the southern end of this fire while preventing its spread southward along Holbert Cove Road. Residents along Holbert Cove Road (addresses 5079-7265) and Fox Paw Lane have been ordered to evacuate.
The Fish Hook Fire was reported a day later on March 20 and currently spans 199 acres near Lake Adger northwest of Mill Spring. Unlike the other two fires, it is partially contained at 50%, with forward progress halted by firefighting teams who continue securing firebreaks and extinguishing smoldering fuels. All evacuation orders related to this fire have been lifted.
For ongoing updates regarding wildfire activity across North Carolina or specific information about these incidents, residents can use resources like the North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer online or subscribe for notifications from the N.C. Forest Service.
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