Firefighters are making progress in containing the Black Cove Complex fires located in Polk and Henderson counties. The total size of the affected area is 7,680 acres. Of this, the Black Cove fire covers 3,502 acres and is 97% contained, the Deep Woods fire spans 3,979 acres with 63% containment, and the Fish Hook fire encompasses 199 acres, now fully contained.
Current efforts are focused on locating and extinguishing smoke sources. Fire officials have begun releasing some resources as containment nears completion and the demands of firefighting lessen. There are 34 engines and a total of 393 personnel assigned to the fire management effort.
Evacuation levels are being regularly assessed based on ongoing fire activity. Residents of Polk and Henderson counties are advised to check the respective county websites for updated evacuation notices.
A Temporary Flight Restriction is enforced for the affected area, from the surface to 5,500 feet, to ensure the safety of firefighting operations. Drones are prohibited as they pose risks to aircraft and the safety of those on the ground.
On March 26, Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency to bolster the state’s capacity to manage the wildfires in Western North Carolina.
For more information on wildfire activity and updates from the N.C. Forest Service, individuals can visit the North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer online or subscribe to receive notifications from the N.C. Forest Service.
