Evacuations underway as 3 growing wildfires start consuming buildings, NC county says
Entire blocks are facing evacuation orders in Polk County, North Carolina, due to a trio of wildfires that have begun consuming buildings, first responders say.
A half dozen homes and structures had been destroyed by the fires as of Friday, March 21, according to Kellie Cannon, public information officer for Polk County.
Collectively, the Deepwoods Fire, Black Cove Fire and Fish Hook Fire cover more than more than 2,375 acres in the county, which is about an 85-mile drive west from Charlotte. No injuries have been reported.
Low humidity, strong winds “and extreme conditions” are contributing to the spread of the fires, county officials reported.
Much of the damage has been caused by the 199-acre Fish Hook Fire in Lake Adger, which has destroyed three houses and damaged one structure. The fire was 50% contained as of Saturday, March 22.
An evacuation notice for the Lake Adger area was lifted early Sunday, March 23, allowing residents to return to their homes, officials said.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for the 1,713-acre Deepwoods Fire, which has destroyed one house, two structures and an out building, Cannon said.
“Visibility in the area will be reduced and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked,” county officials wrote in an update posted at 12:20 p.m. Friday, March 21. “If you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured or killed.”
Areas in Piney Gate facing mandatory evacuation:
- Deepwoods Lane
- Wesley Lane
- Piney Gate Road
- Piney Overlook Lane
- Gamelands Trail
- Oakview Lane
- Volley Way
- Charity Branch Drive
- Windsong Lane
- Moonshine Trace
The largest fire is the Black Cove Fire, which has grown to more than 1,239 acres, double what it was early Thursday, March 20, officials said.
A mandatory evacuation in the area was issued late Saturday, March 22, for areas including:
- 5079 to 7265 Holbert Cove Road (North Side)
- Fox Paw Lane
1091 to 1528 Green River Cove Road
Lady Slipper Trail
It is believed that fire was sparked by a downed power line around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, Cannon said.
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 5:43 AM with the headline "Evacuations underway as 3 growing wildfires start consuming buildings, NC county says."