ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Brutal fire conditions persist across Western North Carolina, where extraordinarily low humidity means leaf litter and deadfalls left in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene are exceedingly dry.

The mean relative humidity so far this March is the lowest ever observed across the advisory area, according to a Fuels and Fire Behavior report.

Those dead trees and dry conditions are fueling rampant wildfires in Henderson and Polk counties in North Carolina and Table Rock State Park and Persimmon Ridge in South Carolina.

Smaller fires are also burning in Swain, Buncombe, Haywood, Caldwell and Rutherford counties in Western North Carolina.

An updated call for immediate evacuations was made Wednesday afternoon for residents in Greenville and Pickens counties in the Upstate. Those include residents Oil Camp Creek Road east to River Falls Road south to Highway 11 west to West Gate Road.

  • Table Rock Fire: 2,293 acres, 0% contained
  • Persimmon Ridge Fire: 996 acres, 0% contained

An evacuation shelter has been set up at Marietta First Baptist Church, 2936 Geer Highway, Marietta, South Carolina.

For additional information about evacuations, please call the Table Rock Complex Information Line at 864- 467-3428.

WILDFIRE EVACUATIONS: WHAT TO PACK IN CASE YOU HAVE TO GO

Also happening Wednesday afternoon, a wildfire broke out in the Leicester area of Buncombe County. Although the North Carolina Forest Service Wildfire Map shows it as a 25-acre blaze, authorities are urging nearby residents to be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

Crews are also battling a wildfire in the Cruso area of Haywood County. According to Cruso Fire & Rescue, crews are battling a wildland fire in the 13000 block of Cruso Road. Many fire units are in the area protecting homes and structures.

No evacuation orders have been issued, but residents are urged to be ready in case the situation changes.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the Black Cove Complex in Polk County is the highest priority fire in the Southern U.S. Currently, there are 303 personnel from North Carolina and other states across the nation providing support in this incident, according to the N.C. Forest Service.

  • Black Cove Fire: 3,046 Acres, 0% contained
  • Deep Woods Fire: 2,923 Acres, 0% contained
  • Fish Hook Fire: 199 Acres, 72% contained

As of March 25, 2025, those fires have destroyed at least 11 homes and multiple outbuildings. ​

  • Black Cove Fire: 7 homes destroyed, 1 home significantly damaged, 7 outbuildings destroyed. ​
  • Deep Woods Fire: 1 home destroyed, 3 outbuildings destroyed. ​
  • Fish Hook Fire: 3 homes destroyed, 1 outbuilding destroyed. ​

Because of the proximity of the Black Cove Complex, evacuations have been ordered in Henderson and Transylvania counties and an interactive map has been created to keep residents updated as fires spread.

Residents can search the map to find their specific addresses. Residents are encouraged to know their zones — Zone 1-Green (get ready), Zone 2-Yellow (get set) and Zone 3-Red (go) — and be prepared.

Statewide burn bans remain in effect across North Carolina & South Carolina until further notice.

EVACUATIONS ORDERED IN HENDERSON, TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES BECAUSE OF WILDFIRES