Evacuations continue Saturday from rapidly spreading North Carolina mountain wildfires

Joe Marusak, The Charlotte Observer on Mar 29, 2025

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Mandatory evacuations continued in the North Carolina mountains Saturday from rapidly spreading wildfires that firefighters from across the United States have battled for days, emergency officials said.

Three fires that merged to form the Black Cove Complex fire have burned nearly 7,000 acres in Polk and Henderson counties, N.C. Forest Service rangers said Friday night.

The fires engulfed 22 structures, forced evacuations on 18 roads and required an injured firefighter to be airlifted to a hospital.

AmeriCorps NCCC, which sent a team of firefighters, called the Black Cove Complex fire on Friday the “highest priority fire in the U.S.”

About 450 firefighters from across the state and nation were on the scene Friday night, according to the N.C. Forest Service.

One of the fires, the Black Cove fire, has burned 3,410 acres and was 23% contained Friday night, Forest Service officials said. The fire was about two miles northeast of Saluda, in the Green River Gorge.

“Fire behavior has continued to be intense, with rapid fire spread and areas of extreme burning conditions due to shifting winds and dry weather during the day,” according to a news release from the Forest Service.

A downed power line caused the fire, which was first reported on Wednesday, officials said.

The second fire, known as the Deep Woods fire, spread to 3,797 acres and was 32% contained by Friday night. The fire was about five miles northwest of Columbus, on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge and the neighboring Holbert Cove community, according to the N.C. Forest Service.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire also was first reported on Wednesday.

The third fire, called the Fish Hook fire, covered 199 acres and was 95% contained, officials said. The fire was about five miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger.

A downed power line also caused that fire, which was reported on Thursday, officials said.

Fire near Bryson City: Only 10% contained

A 1,300-acre fire in the Alarka community near Bryson City was only 10% contained, Swain County Emergency Management officials said on social media at 8:30 p.m. Friday.

The cause of the fire that started Tuesday remains under investigation, officials said. Evacuations were ordered for Long Creek Lane, Unahala Creek and Alarka Highlands.

Temperatures and wind increased in Swain County early Saturday ahead of possible rain, officials said. Gusts up to 21 mph were expected and highs near 70 degrees. The chance of showers stood at 40% this weekend.

“Dry windy conditions and rough, rocky terrain will make fire suppression efforts difficult until significant rain is received,” Swain County emergency officials said.

Wildfire updates

North Carolina is under a statewide burn ban. A state of emergency was declared Wednesday for 34 Western North Carolina counties.

To check wildfire activity across the state, use the North Carolina Forest Service wildfire public viewer at https://ncfspublic.firesponse.com/.

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