State of Emergency Archives

Firefighters in the Carolinas battle multiple wildfires as New Jersey crews contain a forest blaze

Firefighters in North and South Carolina are battling multiple wind-driven wildfires. The fires are burning in rugged terrain that is complicating efforts to contain them. North Carolina State University forestry professor Robert Scheller says millions of trees knocked down by Hurricane Helene last fall have dried out and are helping fuel the blazes. Burn bans remain in effect in both Carolinas and mandatory evacuations continue in parts of North Carolina’s Polk County. Hundreds of miles north in New Jersey, the state Forest Fire Service says a wildfire in the Pinelands region was 100% contained on Monday morning.… Continue Reading

Lighter winds help crews fighting wildfires in South and North Carolina

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Lighter winds in South Carolina and North Carolina are helping firefighters battle blazes that caused evacuations and threatened hundreds of homes over the weekend. Firefighters kept a large blaze near Myrtle Beach from destroying any homes despite social media videos of orange skies at night and flames engulfing pine trees just yards away. The danger wasn’t over Monday. South Carolina officials banned almost all outdoor fires, including burning yard debris and campfires. In western North Carolina, firefighters were setting blazes to burn fuel and contain a wildfire in Polk County.… Continue Reading

Governor Cooper declares State of Emergency as Hurricane Helene approaches North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency today as North Carolina braces for the arrival of Hurricane Helene, which is expected to bring life-threatening conditions to the state through Saturday morning. The declaration activates the National Guard and deploys swift-water rescue teams in preparation for the storm. Hurricane Helene is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds, particularly in the mountains and Piedmont regions. Widespread power outages and tornadoes are also possible, according to weather officials.… Continue Reading