ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Crews gaining on fires burning across Western North Carolina may get extra help Tuesday when rain is expected to move into the area.
In the meantime, the combination of dry fuels, limited rainfall and low humidity will elevate the risk of adverse fire behavior Monday. People are urged to avoid outdoor burning today — careless debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires, the U.S. Forest Service said.
The Melrose Fire, the biggest wildfire in the Asheville area, has burned about 481 acres and is about 30 percent contained as of 9 a.m. Monday, according to the Polk County Emergency Management/Fire Marshal Facebook page.
The North Carolina Forest Service conducted back burns in the areas of Bear Creek Road, Hanging Rock Road, Ocean View Lane and on U.S. 176 near Tau Rock Vineyard Lane. Back burn operations were expected to continue Monday, county officials said in the post.
Crews remained on scene overnight protecting structures and monitoring fire lines. Additional out of county crews worked overnight and more were expected to arrive Monday to assist with the fire operations, officials said.
The fire remains on the right side of U.S. 176 going toward Saluda.
An emergency shelter is open at the Polk County Senior Center in Columbus for anyone affected by the fire.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has extended a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Polk County until midnight because of wildfire smoke
In other parts of the state, U.S. Forest Service crews are responding to multiple wildfires, including areas of the Croatan, Nantahala, Uwharrie and Pisgah national forests. Firefighters are constructing new containment lines, reinforcing existing ones, conducting aerial reconnaissance and using mechanized equipment to manage heavy fuel loads partly because of Tropical Storm Helene, forest service officials said.
- Nantahala National Forest: McClure Road Fire (~20 acres) – Tusquitee Ranger District, Cherokee County, 6 miles southwest along U.S. 64.
- Pisgah National Forest: Hicks Cemetery Fire (~50 acres) – Appalachian Ranger District, Haywood County, Pigeon River west of Interstate 40 at Cold Springs Creek Road/Forest Road 288.
- Uwharrie National Forest: Falls Dam Fire (~410 acres) – Montgomery County, south of the Art Lily Campground adjacent to Forest Road 516, north of the Yadkin River Overlook.
- Croatan National Forest: Ramshorn Fire (~ 114 acres) – Cartaret County 3 miles west of Ashley Place/US Route 70 adjacent to Nine Foot Road.
For more information, click here or follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at U.S. Forest Service – National Forests in North Carolina.
A fire that scorched about 50 acres at Milksick Cove and Groom’s roads in Candler on Saturday was contained by Sunday morning, Buncombe County officials said.
Please remember to avoid fire areas so crews can work safely.
