ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Multiple wildfires continue to affect Western North Carolina, prompting evacuations and air quality alerts in several counties.

Buncombe County

Freedom Farm Fire: The N.C. Forest Service is reporting 130 acres burned with 60 percent containment with no additional acreage growth overnight, according to the Leicester Fire Department.

Haywood County

Rattlesnake Branch Fire: The fire near Cruso is estimated to be 629 acres with 5 percent containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire has spread into state- and federally-managed public lands, including the Shining Rock Designated Wilderness Area on the Pisgah National Forest. These areas include hardwood forests impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The Shining Rock Wilderness Area, including all National Forest System land between U.S. 276 and N.C. 215 north of the Blue Ridge Parkway (between mile markers 405 and 420), is closed.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is closed between Highway 215 and Highway 276 in Segment 2 (EB 42.3-57.0, WB 6.7-21.5) as crews fight the nearby Rattlesnake Branch Fire.

Following the statewide burn ban issued for North Carolina, the Forest Service issued a restriction on open burning on National Forest land, including building, maintaining or using campfires, open stove fires and fire rings, to mitigate wildfire risks.

Polk County

The Black Cove Complex currently has more than 500 personnel from North Carolina and other states across the nation supporting this incident, the U.S. Forest Service said.

Fire behavior has continued to be intense, with rapid fire spread and extreme burning conditions due to shifting winds and dry weather.

Excessive storm debris and timber damage from Hurricane Helene has created many challenges for firefighting efforts. One factor is the loss of tree canopy. More ground cover is receiving direct sunlight, accelerating the rate in which fuels dry out, forest officials said.

Black Cove Fire: The fire has grown to 3,288 acres and is  17 percent contained. The fire is burning in timber on state-owned and private land about 2 miles northeast of Saluda in the Green River Gorge.

Deep Woods Fire: The fire has grown to 3,373 acres and is 30 percent contained. The fire is about 5 miles northwest of Columbus, affecting the Holbert Cove community.  ​

Fish Hook Fire: The blaze is 199 acres and 95 percent contained. It is burning about 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger.

Evacuations

These areas of Polk County are still under a mandatory evacuation order:

  • 3509-4523 Green River Cove Road
  • Wilderness Cove Trail
  • 2456-6159 Holbert Cove Road
  • Coyote Ridge Lane
  • Cozy Cove Lane
  • Echo Lane
  • Glen Echo Circle
  • Sam’s Gap Lane
  • Scout Camp Road
  • Who Drive
  • Big Hungry Road
  • Deer Trail
  • English Heifer Cove Road
  • Scarlets Mountain Road
  • Spurgeon Cove Lane
  • 5079-7265 Holbert Cove Road
  • Fox Paw Lane
  • 1091-1528 Green River Cove Road
  • Lady Slipper Trail

An emergency shelter has been set up at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus.

Henderson County issued an evacuation order for the Summer Haven area in the Saluda portion of Henderson County. The order includes Macedonia Road east of Interstate 26, Skyland Acres Road, Knight Road, Summer Haven Lane and S. Fine Way.

Henderson County has issued a voluntary evacuation along Laurel Mountain View Road and Boulder View Road.

An emergency shelter has been set up at the Henderson County Parks & Recreation Athletics and Activities Center at 708 South Grove St. in Hendersonville.

Earlier this week, officials released an interactive map to help residents track the Black Cove Complex fire and evacuation areas.

Swain County

Alarka Five Fire: The blaze in the Alarka community was last mapped at 911 acres with 5 percent containment. Evacuations are in effect for the Long Creek, Alarka Highlands and Unahala Creek areas.  ​

Officials said the fire was advancing toward Frye Mountain, Shepard’s Creek and Conley’s Creek. Two structures and one camper have been damaged.

Transylvania County

The Table Rock Complex has impacted more than 10,000 acres and is growing, according to the National Weather Service.

Table Rock Fire: The fire has expanded to about 8,679 acres and has reached North Carolina, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. It is not contained.

In Transylvania County, authorities an immediate mandatory evacuation of the area covering on the south side of East Fork Road from the Glady Fork Road intersection to the intersection of East Fork Road and Greenville High and then turning right (south) on Greenville Highway (Hwy 276S) and covering the area on the west side of Greenville Highway all the way to South Carolina.

U.S. 276S is closed from Cascade Lake Road to Highway 11. (Local traffic only)

According to the National Park Service, the Blue Ridge Parkway is now closed from milepost 412 to milepost 420.2 to support wildfire containment efforts.

Because of the presence of multiple wildfires in the surrounding area, Bracken Preserve is closed until further notice.

N.C. Forest Service officials have implemented a full public closure for Headwaters State Forest in southern Transylvania County because of the wildfires.

Persimmon Ridge Fire: The blaze has grown to 1,992 acres with 0 percent containment.

Smoke in the air

Increased fire activity will increase smoke and degrade air quality. Asheville and surrounding areas will likely see air that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Residents should consider limiting their time outside.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AIR QUALITY MAP

Public reminders

  • Do not fly drones in or near fire areas — unauthorized drone use grounds firefighting aircraft and puts crews at risk.
  • Be prepared for smoky conditions and drive with caution.