Wildfires Rage in Carolinas Fueled by Dry Conditions

24 Mar at 8:19 pm

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Wildfires Rage in Carolinas Fueled by Dry Conditions \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Firefighters in North and South Carolina are battling multiple wildfires fueled by hurricane debris and severe drought. Evacuations and statewide burn bans are in effect as fires spread across rugged terrain. Forecasters warn conditions may worsen as temperatures rise.

Carolinas Wildfire Crisis Quick Looks

Firefighters face multiple wildfires in North and South Carolina.
Dry conditions and debris from Hurricane Helene are fueling blazes.
North Carolina issued mandatory evacuations for 165 properties in Polk County.
Three fires have burned over 7.5 square miles in Polk County alone.
Black Cove Fire threatens Henderson County; cause traced to downed power line.
Other NC fires damaged 500 vehicles in Burke County salvage yard.
South Carolina declares state of emergency due to two large mountain fires.
Table Rock Fire expanded to over 2 square miles.
Persimmon Ridge Fire burned more than 1.25 square miles despite firefighting efforts.
Both South Carolina fires caused by human activity, prompting safety warnings.
Voluntary evacuations issued for around 100 homes in South Carolina.
Past hurricanes, like Helene, left fuel on forest floors, increasing fire risk.
Drought conditions continue to worsen despite recent rains.
New Jersey Pinelands wildfire, spotted Saturday, now fully contained.
Officials urge the public to follow burn bans and practice fire safety.

Deep Look

Firefighters in both North Carolina and South Carolina are battling relentless wildfires this week, as wind-driven flames and rugged mountainous terrain make containment efforts challenging. The fires have been fueled by long-standing drought conditions and a massive build-up of fallen trees and debris from Hurricane Helene, which struck the region last year. According to Robert Scheller, a forestry and environmental resources professor at North Carolina State University, the combination of dry weather and hurricane debris has created the perfect conditions for a dangerous and prolonged wildfire season.

“Helene just dropped tons of fuel on the ground,” Scheller explained. “Then these flash droughts allow that fuel to dry out very fast.”

North Carolina Fires

In North Carolina, the situation is most severe in Polk County, about 80 miles west of Charlotte. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for approximately 165 properties as three large fires have scorched at least 7.5 square miles of land. According to county spokesperson Kellie Cannon, the two largest blazes remain completely uncontained. The Black Cove Fire, in particular, has become a major threat, moving rapidly toward neighboring Henderson County.

Local resident Kim Callaway told WLOS-TV that her family has already evacuated their most important belongings and is preparing their home in case firefighters arrive to defend their property.

The North Carolina Forest Service confirmed that the Black Cove Fire was sparked by a downed power line, while the causes of the other two fires remain under investigation. Fires have also been reported in other parts of the state, including a blaze in Burke County that damaged around 500 vehicles at a local salvage yard.

South Carolina Fires

South Carolina is also facing serious wildfire threats. Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency as two significant fires erupted in the state’s mountainous regions: one in Table Rock State Park in Pickens County and another on Persimmon Ridge in Greenville County. The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported that strong winds and rugged terrain allowed both fires to expand rapidly.

The Table Rock Fire has grown to more than 2 square miles, including areas that firefighters intentionally burned to create firebreaks and slow the fire’s spread. The Persimmon Ridge Fire, which began Saturday, has already burned over 1.25 square miles despite numerous water drops. Human activity was identified as the cause of both South Carolina fires. Voluntary evacuations are in effect for about 100 homes, although no injuries have been reported.

Hurricane Debris and Climate Patterns

Scheller and other experts have long warned that fallen debris from hurricanes creates dangerous conditions for wildfires, especially when followed by periods of drought. A similar situation occurred in 2022 when the Bertha Swamp Road Fire burned over 51 square miles in Florida’s Panhandle — a region impacted by 2018’s Hurricane Michael.

Pine trees and their waxy needles, common in the Carolinas, dry out quickly and become highly flammable. Fallen trunks also block access roads and trails, hampering firefighting efforts. Despite recent rainfall, federal drought monitors have reported extreme drought conditions across both Carolinas, setting the stage for more fires.

Human Factors and Safety Warnings

The vast majority of wildfires on the East Coast are caused by human activity, whether from improperly managed debris burning, unattended campfires, or carelessly discarded cigarettes. Additionally, the growing number of homes built near wildland areas increases both fire risk and the difficulty of containment.

New Jersey Wildfire Contained

Elsewhere on the East Coast, a forest fire in New Jersey’s million-acre Pinelands region, which had been burning since Saturday, was fully contained by Monday morning. That fire burned through approximately 3.5 square miles and led to the evacuation of two campgrounds in Wharton State Forest. Authorities are still investigating its cause.

Fire Forecast and Precautions

While a weather front brought some rain and humidity to the Carolinas on Monday, the relief is expected to be short-lived. Forecasts predict rising temperatures and drier air later in the week, conditions that could spark additional wildfires unless burn bans are strictly followed.

North Carolina Forest Service spokesperson Philip Jackson issued a stern reminder: “It is absolutely paramount that folks respect the statewide ban on all open burning.”

With fires already displacing families and threatening property, experts warn that the fire season in the Carolinas is far from over. Unless preventive measures are followed and the weather shifts, firefighters could be facing weeks of intense, wind-fueled battles across the region.