More evacuations ordered for Polk County NC wildfires; helicopters continue to drop water

GREEN RIVER – New evacuation orders have been issued in Polk County as wildfires continue to roar along the Green River and near Lake Adger.

Residents from 1091 to 1528 Green River Cove Road and all residents of Lady Slipper Trail need to evacuate immediately, Polk County Emergency Services announced on social media. The evacuations come as helicopters have continued to drop water on fire lines.

The latest N.C. Forest Service update, issued just after 5 p.m. March 22, sets the following acreage and containment:

• Black Cove Fire: 1,239 acres, 0% containment

• Deep Woods Fire: 1,730 acres, 0% containment

• Fish Hook: 199 acres, 50% containment

A statewide burn ban issued March 21 by the N.C. Forest Service remains in place.

A shelter for those who may have to evacuate after the fires has been set up at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus. Only two families have checked in after the fires started on March 19, Red Cross employee Brian Delmas said.

The county’s Animal Services is available to help with the evacuation of pets or large animals. For those who need help loading, trailering, transporting or housing large animals or are evacuating and need a place for pets, can call Patti Lovelace at 828-817-7984.

The county is collecting donations for families who lost their homes and for the firefighters responding to the fire. Donations can be brought to the following locations: Foothills Community Church at 2720 Landrum Road in Columbus and Friendship Baptist Church at Friendship Church Road in Saluda. Officials ask that donations not be dropped off at local fire stations, as it distracts firefighters from their important tasks.

More: Polk County roads damaged by Helene complicate WNC firefighting efforts

Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. Consider supporting this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Polk County NC wildfires prompt more evacuation orders March 22