(QUEEN CITY NEWS) — More Red Flag Warnings (Fire Weather Warnings) have been issued today for western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina as massive wildfires continue to burn in those areas.
In order for a Red Flag Warning (Fire Weather Warning) to be issued, at least two of the following conditions have to be possible.
This includes low relative humidity, strong winds, change in winds during active fire suppression, or dry lightning (uncommon on the east coast). Dry lightning occurs when rain evaporates before reaching the ground, but lightning still occurs. Think about it as lightning with no rain.
The larger fires in Polk County, NC, are the Black Cove fire and the Deep Woods fire. These two fires are just north of Saluda and have both burned nearly 6,000 acres combined. The Black Cove fire has spread into eastern portions of Henderson County, NC. Both fires are zero percent contained. The fires are very close to each other, and that fire area is being called the Black Cove Complex fire. In northern Polk County, there is a smaller fire called the Fish Hook fire, which has burned roughly 200 acres and is 69% contained.
Just south of those fires is the Table Rock Complex fire in Pickens County, SC. The Table Rock Complex fire actually flared up more on Tuesday night because of a wind shift from a passing cold front. It has grown over 3,200 acres and has now crossed into Transylvania County in North Carolina. That county was severely hit by Helene 6 months ago. The Table Rock Complex fire is zero percent contained. As the fires continue to spread, evacuation orders are being issued.
The challenges firefighters are facing are the continued fire weather conditions, below-average precipitation, and dead/downed fuels such as trees post-Helene. According to the N.C. Forest Service, firefighters will start a fire line and reach impassible points due to storm debris and landslides.
Dry air and windy days through the end of the work week will keep wildfire danger around. For wildfires to start, we need dry vegetation, dry air, and stronger winds. The spark to start the fire can come from something as simple as a cigarette butt or a lawnmower…