Steve Troxler, Commissioner | North Carolina Department Of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Steve Troxler, Commissioner | North Carolina Department Of Agriculture & Consumer Services
The Black Cove Complex fires in Polk and Henderson counties have become the top priority fire incident in the United States, granting the assigned incident management team priority access to resources. A total of 476 personnel have been deployed from various states, including North Carolina.
The Southern Appalachian Fuel and Fire Behavior Advisory reported that March 2025 has recorded the lowest average relative humidity so far in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, with low humidity and high winds fueling the fires. Smoke from the nearby Table Rock Fire in South Carolina is also affecting air quality but is expected to lessen by the afternoon.
Officials will provide updates on the Black Cove, Deep Woods, and Fish Hook fires in a meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 27, at 6 p.m. The event will be held at The Party Place & Event Center, 221 Friendship Church Rd, Saluda, NC 28773, where attendees can engage with emergency officials.
The Black Cove Fire, burning timber on state-owned and private land near Saluda, currently spans 3,052 acres and is 17% contained. The fire has spread rapidly due to high winds and dry conditions. Efforts to contain the fire focus on the western area, with a successful strategic firing operation completed in Henderson County. This fire began from a downed powerline.
The Deep Woods Fire, located near Columbus, is approximately 3,231 acres in size and is 11% contained. Firefighters are managing the fire north of Holbert Cove Road, but the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Fish Hook Fire near Lake Adger covers 199 acres and is 86% contained. Efforts to hold and secure firebreaks continue as containment is expected to improve. This fire was also started by a downed powerline.
Evacuations are evaluated continuously as the fires evolve, and residents should check online resources for current notices. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect for aerial firefighting operations. Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency on March 26 to enhance response capabilities. Additionally, a ban on open burning has been in place since March 21 and remains until further notice.
For real-time updates on wildfire activity across North Carolina, residents are encouraged to use the online North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer.
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