U.S. Wildfires Ravage Over 800 Hectares in North Carolina, Prompting Evacuations
Wildfires in Polk County, North Carolina, have burned over 800 hectares, with two major fires, Black Cove and Deep Woods, both at 0% containment. Evacuation orders have been issued. Neighboring South Carolina declared a state of emergency. Efforts continue amidst worsening conditions, emphasizing the need for regional wildfire management.
hassan benyoub 
Polk County, North Carolina, March 23, 2025, 6:00 PM PDT – Wildfires in North Carolina have consumed more than 800 hectares (approximately 2,000 acres), with authorities reporting at least two major fires in Polk County on Sunday. The blazes, fueled by dry and windy conditions, have triggered evacuation orders and heightened emergency responses across the region, as detailed in ABC News (web ID: 0) and shared on X by @NC_Emergency.
Wildfire Impact in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety issued evacuation orders for parts of Polk County on Saturday evening, urging residents to leave immediately to avoid being trapped. A social media post by the department warned, “Visibility will decrease, and some roads may close,” per ABC News (web ID: 2). The Black Cove fire has burned 1,239 acres and the Deep Woods fire 1,713 acres, both at 0% containment as of Sunday, per Polk County spokesperson Kelly Cannon cited by ABC News.
The fires are part of a larger wave of 175 wildfires across North and South Carolina, scorching a combined 4,200 acres, including blazes in Horry, Spartanburg, Oconee, Union, and Pickens counties, per the South Carolina State Fire Marshal on X via @SCFireMarshal. The North Carolina Division of Air Quality issued a “Code Red” alert for Polk County, signaling unhealthy air, and a “Code Orange” for Rutherford County, per ABC News (web ID: 2).
South Carolina’s Emergency Response
In neighboring South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on March 4 to combat wildfires in Pickens County, where the Six Mile Mountain fire has burned nearly 300 acres but is now 85% contained, per NBC News (web ID: 1). McMaster’s declaration facilitates rapid resource deployment for first responders, as noted in his office’s statement on X via @SCGov.
Ongoing Crisis and Regional Efforts
The wildfires, driven by dry conditions, have forced evacuations and threatened homes, though some orders in Polk County were lifted by Sunday, per ABC News (web ID: 2). The U.S. Forest Service, addressing the broader wildfire crisis, is implementing a new strategy to manage forest health across high-risk areas, per fs.usda.gov (web ID: 3). Posts on X, like @PolkCountyFire’s, show firefighters battling the blazes, while @NCEmergency urges residents to stay vigilant.
As of 6:00 PM PDT, firefighting efforts continue, with authorities warning of worsening conditions, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated regional wildfire management.
