Overview

• Over 11,000 acres have burned in North and South Carolina, with the largest fires in Polk County, North Carolina, and Table Rock State Park, South Carolina, remaining uncontained.
• Mandatory evacuations are in effect for more than 165 properties in Polk County, North Carolina, as firefighters prioritize protecting structures in steep, debris-filled terrain.
• Hurricane Helene's debris, combined with ongoing drought and strong winds, has created conditions for a severe wildfire season, with burn bans in place across both states.
• Staffing shortages within the North Carolina Forest Service and the high cost of debris removal on private property are hindering containment efforts.
• The Table Rock Fire in South Carolina has burned over 1,000 acres, while the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires in North Carolina collectively exceed 5,500 acres, with no containment progress reported.