‘Several hundred’ evacuated as rapid wildfire consumes some 500 acres in western NC
UPDATE: Philip Jackson, a public information officer with the North Carolina Forest Service, said 63% of the fire that grew to 593 acres was contained by Monday evening. All evacuations were lifted as of 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Tryon in western North Carolina has been forced to evacuate residents from as many as 200 structures due to a “rapidly spreading” wildfire that remains out of control.
Evacuations began Saturday, March 1, and grew Sunday to include “several hundred people” who live along 20 endangered roads, town officials said. Tryon has a population of just over 1,500 and is about a 90-mile drive west from Charlotte.
A shelter was established at the Polk County Senior Center in Columbus, about 5 miles north of Tryon, officials said.
“The fire is estimated to be 400-500 acres in total. At this point in time, we have a very small amount contained,” town officials said Sunday.
Polk County Emergency Management reports “structure protection is ongoing in several areas.”
Tryon Mayor J. Alan Peoples says the fire started Saturday when gusting winds sent a tree toppling onto power lines.
It happened around 1:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of U.S. 176, the Saluda Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
“The fire rapidly spread up the mountain, threatening multiple structures,” fire officials said. “Mutual aid from Polk, Henderson, Rutherford, Buncombe Spartanburg counties and the NC Forest Service are assisting with containment efforts.”
Town officials say 15 to 20 fire departments are now working to contain the fire, which includes forest land and brush-covered acreage.
Among the roads listed for evacuation in the Tryon area:
- 1100 block to 3900 block US 176 Highway
- Meadowlark Drive
- Bearcreek Lane
- Vineyard Road
- Warrior Mountain Road
- Sourwood Ridge Road
- Oceanview Driver
- Black Bear Lane
- Joines Drive
- Tomahawk Lane
- Rhododendron Drive
- Azalea Drive
- Camp David Drive
- Jessica Hope Lane
- Valley View Lane
- Jericho Driver
- Stone Circle Drive
The blaze is among about a dozen wildfires that erupted in the North Carolina mountains as a passing cold front brought dry conditions and wind gusts, officials said.
Fires were detected Sunday in parts of Croatan, Nantahala, Uwharrie, and Pisgah national forests, the U.S. Forest Service said. They range in size from around 20 acres to about 114 acres.
This story was originally published March 2, 2025 at 10:15 AM with the headline "‘Several hundred’ evacuated as rapid wildfire consumes some 500 acres in western NC ."