Three wildfires have erupted near North Carolina towns heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene last year.
The first, the Crooked Creek Fire, began in McDowell County on Wednesday, burning nearly 250 acres and remaining 55% contained.
The second, the North Fork Fire, ignited hours later, burning 60 acres and is currently 0% contained.
The McDowell County Emergency Services stated, “Local fire departments are on scene and working in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service to provide structure protection and monitor fire behavior.”
“Emergency personnel will continue to remain on-site throughout the day to monitor the situation and ensure further containment of the fire,” fire officials added.
As of Thursday morning, there have been no fatalities or injuries from the wildfires.”
As reported by CBS News:
A second wildfire has erupted in western North Carolina’s McDowell County, an area that was ravaged by Hurricane Helene just four months ago, nearly to the day, officials said. The fire, dubbed the North Fork Fire, comes a day after the Crooked Creek Fire suddenly arose in the county’s town of Old Fort, a town of just 800 people.
McDowell County Emergency Services said Thursday morning that they are actively monitoring the North Fork Fire, which has so far grown to 60 acres and is 0% contained. At this time, the department said, “there is no imminent threat to structures.”
“Local fire departments are on scene and working in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service to provide structure protection and monitor fire behavior,” the department said. “Crews will continue containment efforts throughout the day.”
The North Fork Fire, which is in the town of Marion, arose just hours after the Crooked Creek Fire developed in Old Fort. Originally, McDowell emergency officials described Crooked Creek as “out of control.” In their latest update just before 7 a.m. local time on Thursday, they said that the fire had grown to an estimated 250 acres and was 55% contained and that “significant progress” had been made overnight.
“Winds diminished and relative humidity increased leading to lower fire activity,” officials said, adding that the progress meant that evacuation orders for affected areas would be lifted at 8 a.m. local time. “Emergency personnel will continue to remain on-site throughout the day to monitor the situation and ensure further containment of the fire.”
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