Michael Whatley, a Republican running for Senate in North Carolina, told Fox News Digital that western North Carolina has made significant progress recovering from Hurricane Helene, but the region still needs continued federal support.

Michael Whatley, a Republican running for Senate in North Carolina, told Fox News Digital that western North Carolina has made significant progress recovering from Hurricane Helene, but the region still needs continued federal support as rebuilding efforts continue.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina big man Henri Veesaar will forgo his senior season and enter the NBA Draft, he informed the UNC staff late Thursday evening, sources confirm. CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander first reported Veesaar’s decision.

In his lone season in Chapel Hill, the Tallinn, Estonia native averaged 17.0 points and 8.7 rebounds — both second on the team — earning Second-Team All-ACC honors and becoming the fourth transfer in program history to earn all-conference recognition at UNC. After failing to record a double-double during his time at Arizona, Veesaar posted 15 this season for the Tar Heels.

Veesaar also ranked second on the team in three-point percentage (42.6) while knocking down the third-most triples (40). He became the first player in ACC history to average at least one made three-pointer per game while shooting 60 percent from the field.

Veesaar appeared in all but two of North Carolina’s games this season — missing contests against Pitt and NC State due to illness and a lower-body injury — and scored in double figures in 30 of 31 appearances.

“I love the school, I love the people, I love the university, they’ve given me so much,” Veesaar said after UNC’s season-ending loss to VCU.

Veesaar is projected as a fringe first-round prospect, ranking No. 36 in ESPN’s latest mock draft and No. 32 in The Athletic’s.

In UNC’s two postseason losses, Veesaar took his game t o a new level. In the Tar Heels’ ACC Tournament loss to Clemson, he recorded career highs in both points (28) and rebounds (17), shooting 10-of-16 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range. In UNC’s season-ending loss to VCU, he added 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Veesaar transferred to Chapel Hill after spending his first three collegiate seasons at Arizona, redshirting his sophomore year due to injury. He averaged 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds last season in Tucson.

In these drought conditions, fires are breaking out across the area, many on farms and in open fields.

In Broadway, about seven acres burned while a farmer was working his land along U.S. 421, according to the North Carolina Forestry Service.

“My God… go, go, go,” said one man who witnessed the flames spread. 

Officials say the fire spread quickly through dry hay. The landowner told WRAL he was working the field when, in an instant, a spark from his equipment ignited the dry land.

It’s a pattern showing up across the region. Just two weeks ago in Cumberland County, a farmer described a nearly identical scenario under similar dry conditions.

“We were baling wheat straw and the hay baler caught on fire… the dry straw just took off burning,” said Joe Gillis, Cumberland County farmer. 

First responders with Boone Trail Emergency Services say extreme drought is fueling these fast-moving fires. Several experts in North Carolina said the state is experiencing “historic levels of dryness.”

Much of western North Carolina and the mid-part of the state, from Raleigh north, are in “extreme drought,” or the second-highest/worst level. In an extreme drought, major crop and pasture losses are expected, reservoirs and wells are at very low levels and many municipalities limit water use.

Since a statewide burn ban was implemented on March 28, the N.C. Forest Service reports 971 fires across the state that have burned 2,870 acres. Only five of the blazes are being blamed on natural ignition or lightning. 

The US Department of Agriculture says one key way to reduce risk is to maintain it properly. Regularly clean and closely monitor farm equipment to prevent sparks.

In these dry conditions, it only takes one spark to destroy an entire field.