By Will Doran for WRAL
The risks from continued wildfires that have already burned thousands of acres in western North Carolina — forcing mandatory evacuations in some counties — are “expected to get worse, not better” as the year goes on, a top state official said Tuesday.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, who oversees the state’s forestry service that’s coordinating the wildfire response, said Hurricane Helene is to blame for the worse-than-normal fires in the western part of the state, since there are so many more dead trees, leaves and other plant material on the ground than is typical.
And as the weather continues warming up with more drought expected, Troxler said, all that kindling is only going to get drier and more flammable — leading to a continued risk of fires like the state saw in March, when the number of wildfires reported statewide was double the normal amount.
“As all of this fuel dries and we go through a drought period, and you can expect it again,” Troxler said. “Particularly in the fall.”
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The preceding article originally appeared on Aprl 1, 2025 at WRAL’s website and is made available here for educational purposes only. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 106A-117 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Any views or opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Carolina Leadership Coalition.
