Rainfall in the area of the Black Cove Complex fires in Polk and Henderson counties provided an advantage to fire crews, allowing them to reinforce containment efforts under reduced fire behavior. Fire crews are focusing on safety as they navigate slick conditions from recent weather, prioritizing suppression repair efforts to prevent erosion due to heavy rain.
The fires currently span a total of 7,670 acres, divided into three sections: Black Cove at 3,502 acres, Deep Woods at 3,969 acres, and Fish Hook at 199 acres. Containment percentages stand at 93% for Black Cove, 60% for Deep Woods, and 100% for Fish Hook. The fires in Black Cove and Fish Hook were caused by powerlines, while the cause of the Deep Woods fire remains under investigation.
There are 371 personnel and 45 engines working on the fires. Evacuation levels are regularly updated based on the fires’ progression, with specific information available on the websites of Polk and Henderson counties.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place to manage aerial operations safely, reaching from ground level to 5,500 feet continuously. This measure is in support of firefighting operations. Drones pose a risk to these operations by potentially causing serious incidents.
Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency on March 26 to bolster response efforts across Western North Carolina. A ban on open burning in the state was enacted on March 21 and remains in place, effectively canceling all existing burning permits.
For ongoing updates about wildfire activity, residents can use the North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer and subscribe to notifications from the N.C. Forest Service.
