Gov. Josh Stein extends State of Emergency for western NC wildfires

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has extended the State
of Emergency for the western North Carolina wildfires.

The State of Emergency extension will last for 30 days in 34 counties.

State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said the North Carolina Forest Service has responded to more than 2,300 wildfire incidents that involved more than 23,000 acres in March and April.

“I appreciate all of the first responders, emergency managers, state forest rangers, and state and local officials working hard to protect North Carolinians from wildfires,” said Stein. “I am extending this State of Emergency to ensure the State Emergency Response Team has every resource available to continue to respond to wildfires to protect people and property.”

The State Emergency Response Team and the North Carolina Forest Service are collaborating with county emergency management offices to ensure that first responders, state forest firefighters, and state forest rangers have the tools needed to keep people safe. 

The State of Emergency includes Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties as well as the tribal lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.