Evacuations Ordered As Wildfires Sweep Through Western North Carolina

Residents of McDowell County, North Carolina, are under evacuation orders as fast-moving wildfires threaten areas already struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene. The most destructive, the Crooked Creek Fire, has scorched 250 acres near Old Fort and was only 15% contained by Wednesday night, according to emergency officials.

Authorities say the fire ignited when a tree brought down a power line, sparking flames that rapidly spread across dry brush left behind by the hurricane. Strong winds reaching up to 50 mph only worsened the situation, pushing the fire toward residential areas. Emergency crews have focused on protecting structures while working to establish containment lines.

Officials have opened a shelter at a local church for evacuees, as many in the area have already been displaced due to the storm that hit in September. Several outbuildings have been lost to the flames, but no injuries have been reported.

The North Carolina Forest Service had warned earlier in the day of increased fire risk due to low humidity, high winds, and ongoing drought conditions. The combination of these factors created the perfect storm for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.

Two additional fires were reported in the county, with the North Fork Fire and Watson Place Fire both burning in the Marion area. Firefighters have not yet provided containment updates for these smaller fires, but crews are monitoring them closely.

The wildfires are an added blow to a region that has spent months trying to recover from Helene’s destruction. With thousands of residents still displaced from the hurricane, local officials are now facing yet another emergency as they work to control the fires and protect those in harm’s way.

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