Polk County's wildfire response has been severely complicated by Hurricane Helene's aftermath, with emergency officials battling three fires across difficult terrain made nearly inaccessible.
Great reporting here, Jeffrey! And we stand in solidarity with you all, across state lines, from South Carolina. One slight correction: The Connestee fire chief, in referring to the Table Rock fire, was saying that it's not of great concern to that area. It's still of GREAT concern down here in South Carolina. I live 9 miles from the Table Rock fire, which is still growing (approaching 1500 acres now) and still uncontained, and I'm one of the hundreds of homes under a "cautious watch" as to evacuations. So it's a very big deal down here. Along with the Persimmon Ridge Fire near Jones Gap in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, along 276. Bottom line: We've got greatly concerning fires on both sides of the border.
I appreciate your clarification and adding more perspective for what's happening a little further south of us. We are in solidarity with you and your community.
And, credit is due to Gerard for his original reporting.
It's also been so dry in our region. Here's hoping crews are able to contain the fires and that more rains come this way.
(Coincidentally, we have our own Table Rock here in Burke County, NC, some 30 minutes from my house. It's a feature along the Linville Gorge, sometimes called the "Grand Canyon of the East.")
I need to come see that Table Rock, Jeffrey! I have visited Linville Gorge, but long long long ago. Amazing place. So many amazing places in WNC, actually.
Come on down! The Jocassee Gorges area is breathtaking. Our mountains are lower (1500-2000 ft, with the exceptions of Table Rock and Sassafras, the highest point in SC, sitting literally on the border of SC/NC, at 3,554 ft), but quite beautiful.
These sorts of disasters just stack on one another, one crisis multiplying the damages of the next. Many people already had to go through winter without secure housing, only to have their area ravaged by wildfires.
Great reporting here, Jeffrey! And we stand in solidarity with you all, across state lines, from South Carolina. One slight correction: The Connestee fire chief, in referring to the Table Rock fire, was saying that it's not of great concern to that area. It's still of GREAT concern down here in South Carolina. I live 9 miles from the Table Rock fire, which is still growing (approaching 1500 acres now) and still uncontained, and I'm one of the hundreds of homes under a "cautious watch" as to evacuations. So it's a very big deal down here. Along with the Persimmon Ridge Fire near Jones Gap in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, along 276. Bottom line: We've got greatly concerning fires on both sides of the border.
I appreciate your clarification and adding more perspective for what's happening a little further south of us. We are in solidarity with you and your community.
And, credit is due to Gerard for his original reporting.
It's also been so dry in our region. Here's hoping crews are able to contain the fires and that more rains come this way.
(Coincidentally, we have our own Table Rock here in Burke County, NC, some 30 minutes from my house. It's a feature along the Linville Gorge, sometimes called the "Grand Canyon of the East.")
I need to come see that Table Rock, Jeffrey! I have visited Linville Gorge, but long long long ago. Amazing place. So many amazing places in WNC, actually.
In return, I've spent very little time in the SC part of Appalachia. I have to remedy that.
Come on down! The Jocassee Gorges area is breathtaking. Our mountains are lower (1500-2000 ft, with the exceptions of Table Rock and Sassafras, the highest point in SC, sitting literally on the border of SC/NC, at 3,554 ft), but quite beautiful.
Table Rock solidarity!
Our thoughts and prayers are with y'all further to the south of us.
🙏🙏🙏🙏 Same
❤️
Thank you! And back to you!
Heartbreaking for a community who has already felt so much heartbreak.
These sorts of disasters just stack on one another, one crisis multiplying the damages of the next. Many people already had to go through winter without secure housing, only to have their area ravaged by wildfires.
Southern Appalachia just can't catch a break. I'm grateful for all those first responders and forest crews working to contain these fires.