Latest news with #FallsDamFire
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
North Carolina wildfire containment: Fire risks aren't over yet, Forest Service says
Further updates on recent North Carolina wildfires from the U.S. Forest Service indicated progress in containment. The news release, issued at around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, explained that wet weather Western N.C. is aiding in the process of containing wildfires. However, the release warned that fire risks may rise again in coming days. The fully contained Ramshorn Fire and partially contained Falls Dam Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. national forests have covered about 809 acres in total. Here's what we know from the Forest Service's statements. The recent news release from the U.S. Forest Service provided information on the effects of rainfall on the N.C. national forest wildfires. The Forest Service reported rainfall accumulation across the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests from 0.5-2 inches as of Wednesday evening, March 5. The release warned, however, that despite the precipitation WNC is seeing, warm, dry conditions with relative humidity dropping to 20% are forecast to return, increasing fire risk into the weekend. For wildfire updates, the release suggested following the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at and checking for updates on the Forest Service website at More: Blood Worm Moon: What to know about March's total lunar eclipse, full moon The Ramshorn Fire in the Croatan National Forest of Carteret County is fully contained. The fire covered about 110 acres. The Hicks Cemetery Fire in the Pisgah National Forest of Haywood County is at about 50% containment. The fire has covered about 194 acres. The recent news release stated that the the affected area experienced sustained winds exceeding 20 mph from the south-southeast overnight, potentially pushing embers beyond containment lines. The release added that crews will remain alert and adjust containment as needed to compensate for potential hotspots, despite receiving nearly an inch of rainfall and forecasts of 1-2 inches of snow. The Falls Dam Fire in the Uwharrie National Forest of Montgomery County is about 85% contained. It was the largest of the three wildfires, covering about 505 acres. Outside of National Forests, Polk County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5 about conditions of the 3910 Fire in the county. The post informed the public that the Polk County fire is now 91% contained, having burned 619 acres in total. As of 5 p.m. on March 4, operations have been handed over to the NCFS. The post thanked local fire departments, emergency personnel and the entire community for assistance in controlling the fire. More: Beer honors: Western NC city, town, breweries voted among best in the US Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Carolina wildfires containment increases: U.S. Forest Service
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Weather continues to bring high fire risks to Western NC, even as wildfires are contained
Though wildfires across Western North Carolina are slowly being contained, weather conditions have continued to grow more dangerous. A wind advisory and high wind warning from the National Weather Service are both in effect in Buncombe County and across much of WNC, with the agency warning of increased fire danger through Tuesday evening, March 4. The advisory and warning remain in effect until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5 - and professionals have warned that it will take more than initial rounds of rain for fire risk to finally dwindle. Here's what else we know about the forecasts. As of 1:45 p.m., the U.S. Forest Service informed the public that all wildfires across North Carolina's National Forests were contained or mostly contained. This included the Falls Dam Fire, Ramshorn Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. national forests, covering about 765 acres in total. However, the same news release warned that weather conditions remain dangerous. "Although relative humidity will be higher today, temperatures will be warmer and winds will be stronger during the afternoon and early evening hours," the alert says. "Rain is not expected to develop soon enough to have an impact on fuel moistures during the warmest part of the day today. So, in coordination with forestry officials a Fire Danger Statement remains in effect for North Carolina, South Carolina, and northeast Georgia." The NWS issued several warnings around high wind in Buncombe County and much of WNC. A weather hazard outlook posted at 5:13 a.m. on March 4 explained that a wind advisory for areas below 3,500 feet and a high wind warning for areas above 3,500 feet are both in effect from 7 p.m. this evening to 1 p.m. on Wednesday. As a strong cold front moves over the mountains late night on March 4, gusty winds and heavy rain are expected. A line of thunderstorms may develop and move across the region in the pre-dawn hours, and some of the storms in the line could produce damaging straight line wind gusts. The alert added that "very gusty winds" will likely persist well into Thursday, though the warning and advisory currently end on Wednesday at 1 p.m. More: National Forest wildfires in North Carolina contained, US Forest Service says The Forest Service news release said that precipitation and rising humidity are expected to "moderate conditions and fire behavior in coming days." The NWS has issued the following forecast for the remainder of the week in Buncombe County: Tuesday, March 4 - Chance of rain before 11 p.m., then showers, mainly after 11 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog after midnight. Low around 51 degrees. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Wednesday, March 5 - The high wind warning and advisory end at 1 p.m. Showers, mainly before 4 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. High near 61 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. The chance of rain remains overnight, possibly mixing with snow after 11 p.m., then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29 degrees. Northwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Thursday, March 6 - Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 46 degrees. Breezy, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 30 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Friday, March 7 - Mostly sunny, with a high near 64 degrees. A chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 30%. More: Buncombe burn ban extended due to 'extreme fire danger': what to know Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe County, Western NC weather: High wind warning, advisory
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
National Forest wildfires in North Carolina contained, US Forest Service says
All wildfires across North Carolina's National Forests have been contained or mostly contained, according to a 1:45 p.m. news release from the U.S. Forest Service on March 4. The Falls Dam Fire, Ramshorn Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. National Forests covered about 765 acres in total. Here's what we know about the specifics on each fire based on statements from the Forest Service. The news release informed the public that the three fires, as well as "all other reported fires," have been contained. Fire crews will continue reinforcing containment lines using natural barriers and improving existing defenses to prevent further spread. Smoke may still be visible in contained areas. While a weather system moving in tonight, March 4, and lasting through tomorrow, March 5, will further elevate fire risk, the Forest Service expects precipitation and rising humidity to "moderate conditions and fire behavior in coming days." For wildfire updates, the release suggested following the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at and checking for updates on the Forest Service website at More: Wildfires in Western NC: See our interactive map The Ramshorn Fire in the Croatan National Forest of Carteret County is fully contained. The fire covered about 110 acres. The Hicks Cemetery Fire in the Pisgah National Forest of Haywood County is at about 40% containment. The fire covered about 150 acres. The Falls Dam Fire in the Uwharrie National Forest of Montgomery County is about 65% contained. It was the largest of the three wildfires, covering about 505 acres. While Forest Service fire crews have contained all reported fires in N.C.'s National Forests, Polk County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page the morning of March 4 that conditions of the 3910 Fire remained stable overnight. The fire has burned 593 acres in Polk County and is 63% contained. The Facebook post said firefighters had made "tremendous progress." An update is expected around 5 p.m. March 4. This story will be updated. Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Carolina wildfires: Containment update from US Forest Service