Witnessing a devastating inferno described as “out of control,” McDowell County Emergency Management faced a new crisis in the western North Carolina town of Old Fort. The wildfire, known as the Crooked Creek Fire, ignited on Wednesday, just four months following the havoc caused by Hurricane Helene. By Wednesday evening, the blaze had consumed 250 acres, with containment efforts at 15%, according to emergency officials.
Evacuations have been initiated in select areas of Old Fort, a town that suffered greatly during Hurricane Helene’s landfall in late September. Details about local evacuation orders for residents are available here. With an emergency shelter now operational at 203 East Main Street, residents in affected zones are strongly advised to evacuate to ensure their safety, as per officials’ directives.
“Persisting high winds are intensifying fire risks,” emphasized the latest update from McDowell County Emergency Management. “Firefighters are diligently engaged in protecting multiple homes in the vicinity and are actively establishing fire containment boundaries.”
The 6 p.m. update highlighted an anticipated decrease in wind intensity as the evening progresses.
The wildfire event unfolded subsequent to the issuance of a wind advisory by emergency management officials, commencing at midnight on Wednesday. Cautionary alerts were issued regarding winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph, persisting until 6 p.m. on the same day.
These winds exacerbated the prevailing arid conditions in the area. Meteorologist Nikki Nolan from CBS News and Stations highlighted the stark precipitation deficit in Old Fort, which typically receives nearly 4 inches of rain in January but has only recorded 0.58 inches thus far. Dry conditions serve as prime fuel for fires due to parched vegetation, with high winds aiding in rapid fire propagation.
Preliminary reports from CBS affiliate WNCN suggest that the fire originated from a tree falling onto a power line.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene in September, tens of thousands of homes in western North Carolina were reportedly damaged. Old Fort bore a significant brunt, with at least 47 homes and structures destroyed in the town of just over 800 residents, along with 36 additional homes sustaining damage, as reported by the Asheville Citizen-Times.
According to the Citizen-Times, a substantial number of individuals remain displaced as a result of the calamitous events.