Key takeaways:
- A federal incident management team has taken control of firefighting efforts in Polk County, North Carolina, with additional support from out-of-state firefighters, including 25 from Oregon, as discussed in a community meeting.
- Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of the western foothills of the Carolinas due to nearly half a dozen wildfires fueled by dry conditions, leading to mandatory evacuations and a state of emergency declaration in Polk County.
- Governor Josh Stein announced FEMA’s approval of a grant to aid in firefighting efforts, with warnings issued about reduced visibility and road blockages, urging residents to evacuate for their safety.
A federal incident management team has assumed control over efforts to combat a series of wildfires in Polk County, North Carolina. This development comes as additional support arrived from out-of-state, including 25 firefighters from Oregon who flew in on Saturday. The situation was discussed at a community meeting held on Sunday, where officials provided updates on the ongoing firefighting efforts.
Evacuation orders and recommendations have been issued for parts of the western foothills of the Carolinas. The region is currently facing nearly half a dozen wildfires, which are being fueled by dry woodland conditions. These fires have significantly increased in size, leading to mandatory evacuations as emergency crews work to manage separate blazes in an area still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced a mandatory evacuation for certain areas of Polk County on Saturday. This county is located approximately 80 miles west of Charlotte. The Black Cove Fire, which began in Green River Gorge, has already consumed more than 2,000 acres, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency last Wednesday.
Governor Josh Stein confirmed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a grant to assist the state in responding to the fires. In a social media post, the agency warned of reduced visibility and potential road blockages, urging residents to evacuate immediately to avoid being trapped, injured, or worse. The collaborative efforts of local and federal agencies aim to bring the situation under control and ensure the safety of residents in the affected areas.
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