2025 North Carolina wildfires

2025 North Carolina wildfires

The 2025 North Carolina wildfires are a series of active wildfires currently ongoing in North Carolina.

Background

Spring Wildfire Season

As temperatures rise between mid-March and mid-April, surface fuels dry out more easily. Pre-green-up vegetation and occasional gusty winds create conditions favorable for ignition—even from lightning or human activity. Scattered convective rainfall contributes to unpredictable dry pockets that increase fire risk.[1]

Fall Wildfire Season

In late September through October, temperatures remain warm and humidity drops. Once leaves fall, the forest floor accumulates flammable debris, and cool-season frontal winds can trigger rapid fire spread. Fall fires are generally less frequent than spring fires but can escalate under dry or windy conditions.[2]

Hurricane aftermath—particularly debris left behind—has compounded fire danger. In 2025, Hurricane Helene’s downed trees and low humidity contributed to multiple early-season fires, including the Black Cove Fire near Asheville. Hundreds of wildfires were ignited, underscoring increased risk due to debris accumulation and development in fire-prone areas.[3]

Annual Fire Statistics

Since the late 20th century, North Carolina has averaged over 5,000 wildfires annually, with recent years like 2023 recording 5,101 fires burning nearly 18,748 acres.[4]

Human Causes & Public Safety Response

The leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina is careless debris burning, accounting for nearly all incidents. As fall fire season approaches, the North Carolina Forest Service emphasizes caution when burning yard debris and provides public fire-safety guidance and programs like Firewise USA.[5][6]

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.

Name County Acres Start date Containment date[a] Notes/Ref.
Black Cove Polk 3,502 March 19
April 10
 [8]
Deep Woods Polk 3,969 March 19
April 10
 2 residences reported to be destroyed.[9]
Alarka #5 Swain 1,575 March 25
April 8
 [10]
Rattlesnake Branch Haywood 1,858 March 26
April 10
 [11]
Haoe Lead Graham 3,103 April 12 May 5 [12]
Bee Rock Creek McDowell 2,085 April 15
April 24
 [13]
Sunset Road Brunswick 1,331 May 2 June 16 [14]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Containment means that fire crews have established and secured control lines around the fire's perimeter. These lines are artificial barriers, like trenches or cleared vegetation, designed to stop the fire's spread, or natural barriers like rivers. Containment reflects progress in managing the fire but does not necessarily mean the fire is starved of fuel, under control, or put out.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Fire Climatology – Fire". North Carolina State Climate Office. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  2. ^ "Fire Climatology – Fire". North Carolina State Climate Office. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  3. ^ "Here's where Americans are increasingly at risk for wildfires". Washington Post. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  4. ^ "N.C. Forest Service - Wildfire Statistics". North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  5. ^ "North Carolina Wildfire Threat Profile". North Carolina Emergency Response Guide. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  6. ^ "Caution increasingly needed as fall wildfire season arrives". Coastal Review. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  7. ^ "What containment and other wildfire related terms mean". Los Angeles: KCAL-TV. September 12, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  8. ^ Oklahoman, The. "Black Cove - Wildfire and Smoke Map". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  9. ^ Oklahoman, The. "DEEP WOODS - Wildfire and Smoke Map". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  10. ^ Newspapers, Treasure Coast. "ALARKA #5 - Wildfire and Smoke Map". Treasure Coast Newspapers. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  11. ^ Oklahoman, The. "Rattlesnake Branch - Wildfire and Smoke Map". The Oklahoman. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  12. ^ Oklahoman, The. "HAOE LEAD - Wildfire and Smoke Map". The Oklahoman. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  13. ^ Oklahoman, The. "Bee Rock Creek - Wildfire and Smoke Map". The Oklahoman. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  14. ^ Oklahoman, The. "Sunset RD - Wildfire and Smoke Map". The Oklahoman. Retrieved May 5, 2025.


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