ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Thousands of acres were burning in wildfires across Western North Carolina on Saturday.

Shortly before 8 p.m., Polk County officials issued an evacuation order for the north side of Holberts Cove Road and Fox Paw Lane.

Earlier Saturday afternoon, Green River Cove addresses from 1091-1528 and all Lady Slipper Trail residents were told to evacuate immediately.

A shelter is available at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus.

More than 3,000 acres were burning in three wildfires in Polk County:

  • Black Cove: The fire, which originated off Green River Cove Road, had burned 1,239 acres and was 0 percent contained by 6 p.m., according to the Polk County Government website.
  • Deep Woods: The fire, which started off Deep Wood Lane, had burned 1,713 acres and was 0 percent contained by 6 p.m., according to the Polk County Government website.
  • Fish Hook: The fire, which originated off Lake Adger Road, had burned 199 acres and was 50 percent contained by 6 p.m., according to the Polk County Government website.

Polk County residents are invited to attend a community meeting about the fires at 2 p.m. at 40 Courthouse St., Columbus.

Anyone with donations for firefighters is asked to drop them off at Foothills Community Church (2720 Landrum Road, Columbus) or Friendship Baptist Church (Friendship Church Road, Saluda). Bottled water, sports drinks and powered drink mixes, along with snack items, are the biggest needs as these are quick and easy for firefighters to consume while working. Please don’t take individual meals.

In Burke County, Fire Marshal Robert Bishop said a fire off Old Amherst Road near Morganton was at 160 acres and about 50 percent contained by Saturday afternoon.

One structure had been destroyed, with five occupants displaced, Burke County officials said. The scene remains active, so no additional information concerning other impacted structures was available.

No mandatory evacuations had been issued, but some residents in the area may have evacuated voluntarily.

Two N.C. Forest Service helicopters and one scout plane were headed to the scene about 2:30 p.m., fire officials said.

The fire call was reported about 11:35 a.m.