North Raleigh Today

The Black Cove Complex, encompassing the areas of Polk and Henderson counties in North Carolina, has grown to a total size of 7,672 acres. This includes three specific areas: Black Cove at 3,502 acres, Deep Woods at 3,971 acres, and Fish Hook at 199 acres. Containment varies across these areas with Black Cove at 36%, Deep Woods at 32%, and Fish Hook fully contained at 100%.

The cause of the fires has been identified as powerlines in both the Black Cove and Fish Hook areas, while the cause for the Deep Woods fire remains under investigation. Response efforts involve 45 engines and a total of 375 personnel on the ground. Despite today's increased humidity, fire behavior remains low, with efforts focusing on patrol, mop-up operations, and suppression repairs. These activities aim to mitigate environmental impacts, specifically sedimentation in nearby waterways, due to the steep terrain of the affected areas.

This marks the final evening update for the Black Cove Complex, although morning updates will persist. Evacuation levels are frequently reviewed according to fire activity, with updates available on the respective Polk and Henderson County websites.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is enforced, covering surface-level altitudes up to 5,500 feet, operational around the clock until further notice. This restriction is crucial as firefighting aircraft fly low to support ground crews, and drones pose significant safety risks during these operations.

In response to the situation, Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency on March 26 to bolster the state's firefighting capacity. Supporting this, a statewide ban on open burning, effective since March 21, remains in place with all existing permits canceled and no new ones issued.

Residents interested in tracking wildfire activity across North Carolina can utilize the North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer. Additionally, updates from the N.C. Forest Service on fires, burn bans, and related topics are accessible through a subscription service.