News

Widespread rain cools area wildfires

A DC-10, Very Large Airtanker, drops fire suppressant on the Black Cove Complex fire in Polk and Henderson counties. (photo courtesy of Weston Vandenabeele, N.C. Forest Service)

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 25, 2025

Rain on Monday allowed firefighters to gain the upper hand on area wildfires, according to a press release from the N.C. Forest Service.

The rain allowed firefighters to take advantage of the wet conditions to strengthen containment lines around the Black Cove Complex fire, according to the press release issued Tuesday morning
“Damp conditions will continue to aid firefighter success,” according to the press release. “Slick and slippery conditions from Monday’s weather system are on the forefront of firefighter’s minds as they focus on safely navigating fire lines. With more containment, crews are also focusing on suppression repair efforts to prevent accelerated erosion on the fire lines due to the heavy rainfall.”
Polk County officials announced on Saturday that there were no mandatory evacuations in the county. A shelter set up at the “Meeting Place” senior center was set close on Sunday morning. Holbert Cove Road and Green River Cove Road are now open to residents only, according to a press release from Polk County.
The Black Cove Complex - which includes the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires burning in the Green River Gorge in Polk and Henderson counties and the Fish Hook fire near Lake Adger in Polk County- was considered the highest priority fire in the United States last week, according to the N.C. Forest Service.
The Black Cove Complex has consumed 7,670 acres. Fires involved in the complex are now at 93, 60 and 100 percent containment.
South Carolina officials over the weekend said the Table Rock Complex, which has burned more than 15,000 acres in the Upstate in areas near the North Carolina state line, is now the highest priority fire in the nation “based on a matrix that includes acres burned, evacuations and critical needs.”
Henderson County officials are closely monitoring the Table Rock Complex, according to a statement on Friday from the county’s emergency management office.
The Table Rock Complex wildfire burning in Pickens and Greenville counties in S.C includes the Table Rock and the Persimmon Ridge fires.
The fires as of Tuesday morning had consumed 15,365 acres and were 32 percent contained.
A statement from emergency officials in Transylvania County on Friday also confirmed fires were burning near the state line.
As of Tuesday morning, there were 371 personnel assigned to the Black Cove Complex. Firefighting crews from across North Carolina and 14 other states came to the area last week to assist in fighting the Black Cove complex, according to a press release from the N.C Forest Service.
A Red Flag Warning over the fire area expired Friday evening.
Excessive storm debris and timber damage from Hurricane Helene created many challenges for firefighting efforts in the region. One factor is the loss off tree canopy. More ground cover is receiving direct sunlight, accelerating the rate in which fuels dry out, according to a press release from the N.C. Forest Service.
North Carolina fire departments from as far as Swansboro, nearly six hours away, supported the fight against the Black Cove Complex. Out-of-state resources, including crew and support personnel, came to the area from Arizona, California, Colorada, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming, according to the forest service.
The city of Saluda hosted a community meeting for Saluda residents on Thursday. Fire managers and emergency officials attended to provide updates on the Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires. For those unable to attend the meeting, a recording can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/1070351162.
A firefighter injured while battling the Black Cove wildfire was hospitalized in stable condition Wednesday after he was airlifted a day earlier from the Green River Gorge area. No update on his condition was provided Sunday.
A Blackhawk helicopter from the N.C. National Guard was called last week to rescue the firefighter after he suffered leg injuries when he was trapped under a tree that fell, according to a statement posted online by the N.C. Emergency Management agency.
The firefighter received medical attention at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center and was in stable condition at the hospital on Wednesday, according to a press release from the N.C. Forest Service. No update of the firefighter’s condition was provided on Tuesday.
The state’s emergency management agency activated the NC Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART) and staged the Blackhawk with rescue technicians for quick response to the wildfires in Polk and Henderson Counties over the weekend.
An urgent call for assistance with the injured firefighter came for the team, call sign Kill Devil 60, last week, according to the emergency management statement.
The rescue team successfully airlifted the injured firefighter from the accident and transferred him to Polk County EMS.
The Kill Devil 60 team returned to its staging location and remains ready to respond to any firefighter who needs help.
WLOS reported last week that a total of 165 homes have been evacuated from the Black Cove Complex fire and Polk County officials confirm 11 homes have been destroyed.
N.C. Forest Service aerial resources have been shared throughout Western North Carolina as wildfires continue to increase across the state, according to a statement from the forest service. The N.C. Forest Service utilizes four helicopters and two single engine air tankers (SEATs) throughout North Carolina.
The U.S. Forest Service has also utilized two Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The helicopters are primarily used for wildland firefighting, carrying larger amounts of water and can be utilized for more rugged terrain. Chinook helicopters carry 2,300 to 2,500 gallons depending on elevation and fuel load. A K-MAX helicopter, also being utilized on North Carolina wildfires, can carry 420 gallons. N.C. Forest Service helicopters have been carrying 200 to 300 gallons, according to the statement from the N.C. Forest Service.
Henderson County declared a State of Emergency for the county due to the wildfires.
The State of Emergency will continue until emergency service officials advise otherwise. The County-wide burning ban remains in effect.
Wildfires in various sections of the county have the potential to threaten life and property. Emergency personnel are prepared to take action to evacuate county residents if necessary and support all efforts toward fire suppression. The State of Emergency ensures that Henderson County has the necessary resources in place to respond to the potential impacts from the wildfires that originated from Polk County.
Henderson County and the N.C. Forest Service issued an evacuation order last week for the Summer Haven community on Macedonia Road east of I-26, Skyland Acres Road, Knight Road, Summer Haven Lane and South Fine Way. The county has opened an emergency shelter at the Athletics and Activities Center, 708 South Grove St.
Evacuation levels are constantly being assessed based on fire activity. For updated or current evacuation notices for Polk County, please refer to Polk County’s website. For updated or current evacuation notices for Henderson County, please refer to Henderson County’s website, according to the press release from the forest service.
Local emergency management officials have created an interactive map for county residents as these fires have spread into Henderson County. Residents can search the map to find their specific address.
• Zone 1-Green (Get Ready)
• Zone 2-Yellow (Get Set)
• Zone 3-Red (Go)
As fire risks increase, it is important to protect yourself and your family by planning, preparing and staying aware, the county said in a news release.
At this time, donations and supplies are not needed. People who would like to make a monetary donation, are encouraged to give to a local fire department, according to a press release Henderson County issued on Saturday.
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 5,500 feet until further notice. Firefighting aircraft that respond to wildfires fly low in support of ground personnel. Drones can pose a serious threat to pilot and public safety. A drone that disrupts air operations also puts firefighters, residents and property at risk of loss to wildfire, according to the forest service.
A ban on all open burning was issued statewide last week. All burning permits are canceled. No new permits are being issued. The ban remains in effect until further notice, the forest service said.
Fire managers and emergency officials held a community meeting for Henderson County residents last week to provide information and updates on the Black Cove, Deep Woods and Fish Hook fires. Officials discussed the current state of the fires, management strategies and containment. Local residents were able to bring questions and concerns to management team members. More than 400 people attended the meeting, according to the press release from the forest service. For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the meeting is available at https://vimeo.com/event/4347848.
Details on each of the Black Cove Complex fires from the N.C. Forest Service on Saturday include:
• Black Cove Fire: (35° 17′ 7.53″ N , 82° 17′ 49.96″ W)
On Tuesday, the Black Cove Fire was 3,502 acres in size and 93 percent contained. The fire is burning in timber on state-owned and private land, approximately two miles northeast of Saluda, in the Green River Gorge.

The Black Cove Fire was first reported on March 19. The cause of this fire was determined to be a downed powerline.

• Deep Woods Fire: (35° 17′ 34.77″ N , 82° 15′ 34.00″ W)
On Sunday, the Deep Woods Fire was 3,969 acres in size and 60 percent contained. The fire is burning approximately five miles northwest of Columbus in timber on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge and in the neighboring Holbert Cove community.
The Deep Woods Fire was first reported on March 19. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.

• Fish Hook Fire: (35° 20′ 52.42″ N , 82° 14′ 5.01″ W)
On Monday, the Fish Hook Fire, which burned 199 acres, was 100 percent contained. The fire burned approximately five miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger.
The Fish Hook fire was first reported on March 20. The cause of this fire was determined to be a downed powerline.