Polk County wildfires worsen; FEMA grants assist firefighting

Wildfires in Polk County, North Carolina, are worsening under difficult conditions. As of March 23, officials reported that two major fires, the Deep Woods Fire and the Black Cove Fire, have burned over 4,600 acres. Fire Marshal Bobby Arledge described the situation as a "nightmare" due to debris from Tropical Storm Helene, which has made firefighting efforts challenging. Around 249 firefighters are battling the fires, which have already destroyed at least five homes. Many roads in the area are damaged, complicating access for firefighting crews. The fires are located in steep and hazardous areas, making containment efforts even more difficult. On March 23, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted North Carolina funding to assist in firefighting efforts. Governor Josh Stein announced that the state qualified for a Fire Management Assistance Grant, as the ongoing fires pose a serious risk of disaster. The financial threshold for this assistance is over $2.9 million. Mandatory evacuations were expanded in Polk County on the evening of March 23, impacting residents in multiple areas. Many homes and structures have been damaged or destroyed, with ongoing assessments of the situation by firefighting teams. Firefighters are constructing control lines around the larger fires to prevent them from spreading into nearby neighborhoods. The Fish Hook Fire near Lake Adger remains stable and has not grown, but concern remains for residents in the area due to the overall fire risk. A statewide burn ban is currently in effect.