The Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County has burned 431 acres and is currently 5% contained as of Tuesday Nov. 7. Firefighters are monitoring the fire for flames escaping the fire lines.
Also on Nov. 7 another fire was burning in DuPont State Recreational Forest. The fire spanned roughly 36 acres and was about 60% contained. The fire's cause is unknown and it has been burning since Monday. The fire is located on Cascade Lake Road with some acreage on state forest land and some on private land.
In response to heightened fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has imposed a ban on open burning and canceled burning permits in Henderson County since Sunday, November 5. Additionally, Henderson County declared a State of Emergency to facilitate the protection of life and property and seek additional state and federal resources to support the firefighting efforts. Property owners should avoid open fires and keep hot equipment such as vehicles or tractors away from dry leaves and grass.
Watch a video lecture about the Firewise program recorded at the Henderson County Extension Center.
Homes can be made less susceptible to wildfires. Make your home FIREWISE. This poster demonstrates actions that you can take to make your home more fire resistant.
There are 7 steps that homeowners can use to protect their properties according to Resist Wildfire:
7 Easy Steps to protect your home from wildfires
- Clear: Clear off pine needles, dead leaves, and anything else that can burn from your rooflines, gutters, decks, porches, patios, and along fence lines. Falling embers will have nothing to burn.
- Store Away: Store away furniture cushions, rattan mats, potted plants, and other decorations from doors, decks, porches, and patios. These items catch embers and help ignite your home if you leave them outside.
- Screen & Seal: Wind-blown embers can get into homes easily through vents and other openings and burn the home from the inside out. Walk around your house to see what openings you can screen or temporarily seal up.
- Rake: Embers that land in mulch that touches your house, deck, or fence is a big fire hazard. Rake out any landscaping mulch to at least 5 feet away.
- Trim: Trim back any shrubs or tree branches that come closer than 5 feet to your house, in addition to any overhanging branches.
- Remove: Walk around your house and remove anything within 30 feet that could burn, such as woodpiles, spare lumber, vehicles, and boats – anything that can act as a large source of fuel.
- Close: If ordered to evacuate, make sure all windows and doors are closed tightly and seal up any pet doors. Many home are destroyed by embers entering these openings and burning the house from the inside out.
These fact sheets detail things that you can do to your home to make the structure less susceptible to fire entering the structure
Wildfire Research Fact Sheets.
