POLK COUNTY, N.C. – The fight against destructive wildfires tearing through North Carolina is being significantly hampered by Hurricane Helene’s lingering devastation, officials revealed, calling the situation “an absolute travesty.” 

EVACUATIONS EXPAND IN CAROLINAS AS WILDFIRES RAGE IN HURRICANE HELENE-RAVAGED AREAS

Footage posted by Greenville Water shows the scene at Table Rock Reservoir in South Carolina.

(Greenville Water)

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The powerful storm, which swept through the region in late September, left behind a trail of destruction that is now proving to be a major obstacle in containing the blazes that have consumed over 6,000 acres in the state.

As evacuation orders remain in place for several neighborhoods, the stark reality of the intertwined disasters is becoming increasingly clear, North Carolina Forest Service Supervisor Nicholas Hoffmann said.

A “Home Sweet Home” sign is seen outside a home that was destroyed by a fire on March 23, 2025, in Columbus, North Carolina.

(Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

“It is an absolute travesty that it’s happened,” he emphasized. “And the Helene damage is actually one of the biggest contributing factors to the difficulty in fighting this fire because of all the damage, the landslides, the lack of access that it has created … in addition to the steep, steep terrain and the high winds we’re having right now.”

Fire officials are now grappling with a two-layered crisis.

FOX Weather meteorologists spent weeks on the ground in North Carolina following Helene, and their reports painted a stark picture of the sheer volume of fallen trees and debris that would dry out and become potent fuel, increasing the fire risk.

“You have thousands of trees that are just lying in the forest that have been drying up over the last couple of months, and it’s a tinderbox,” FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin said. “These are hard areas to access. That’s what made it so challenging with Helene and the response efforts, and they’re still trying to rebuild. Now, they have a second natural disaster pretty much on their hands.”

The destructive power of wildfires in Polk County has become evident after 11 homes were destroyed on Tuesday.

Officials report that the Black Cove Fire, which was started by a downed power line, has burned over 3,000 acres and remains uncontained. The nearby Deep Woods Fire has also consumed nearly 3,000 acres with no containment. The smaller Fish Hook Fire is partially contained, but the situation led to the evacuation of 165 homes by Tuesday evening.

The Deep Woods Fire is seen on March 23, 2025, in Columbus, North Carolina.

(Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

By Tuesday evening, emergency management officials in Henderson County had mandated evacuations for the Summer Haven community and four other neighborhoods. An additional dozen nearby communities were also under pre-evacuation advisories.

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Smoke from the Black Cove Fire in Polk County, North Carolina, was seen wafting skyward on Sunday. This video, shared to X by Grant Finch, captures the massive smoke cloud as seen from Peter Guice Bridge.

Simultaneously, South Carolina also issued evacuation orders Tuesday evening in Greenville and Pickens counties due to the Persimmon Ridge Fire, which is part of the larger Table Rock Fire Complex. 

The South Carolina Forestry Commission said that good progress was made in battling the blaze on Tuesday, but later, “wind gusts dramatically increased fire activity.”

The Table Rock Fire has burned over 2,200 acres, and the Persimmon Ridge Fire has charred about 1,000 acres. Both are at 0% containment.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton announced his resignation from the North Carolina Senate, effective Wednesday evening, creating a leadership vacancy as the Senate enters a busy legislative period

Newton, 64, is stepping down to pursue an opportunity outside of state government, according to a statement from Senate Republicans.

His specific plans have not been disclosed, according to the Associated Press.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Cabarrus County for nearly a decade,” Newton said in his statement.

Senate leader Phil Berger praised Newton as a “valued voice and leader” who “provided a calm presence and wise counsel to many legislators during his time in Raleigh.”

ALSO READ: NC Senate passes bill requiring cellphone ban in schools

Newton’s departure means that Republicans in the 34th Senate District will select someone to fill his seat through the end of 2026. Additionally, Senate Republicans will need to convene to choose a new majority leader.

As majority leader, Newton played a significant role in enacting laws that extended conservative tax policies, removed the three-day grace period for mail-in absentee ballots, and set greenhouse gas reduction mandates on electric power plants operated by Duke Energy.

Newton, a former Duke Energy state president, joined the Senate in 2017 and was elected by his GOP colleagues to the majority leadership post after the 2022 elections.

The Senate’s bill-filing deadline was Tuesday, and the Senate aims to approve a two-year state government budget proposal next month.

Newton’s resignation marks a significant change in the North Carolina Senate’s leadership as the legislative body prepares for an intense work period.

The selection of his successor will be crucial in shaping the Senate’s future direction.

VIDEO: NC Senate passes bill requiring cellphone ban in schools

KINSTON, N.C. (WBTV) – A Charlotte man and two others were in critical condition after he allegedly shot at multiple Amazon vans and crashed head-on into a car in eastern North Carolina this past weekend.

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said the man, 34-year-old Lonneil Cordarius Mason, shot into three Amazon vans in Kinston, N.C. on Sunday, March 23. The first two vans were on C.F. Harvey Parkway near Kinston Regional Jetport, while the third happened on Highway 11.

Deputies said none of the Amazon drivers were hurt, but investigators found bullet holes left by .45-caliber and AR-15 pistols. One of the shots fired went through a van’s passenger door.

Just minutes after Mason allegedly shot into the vans, deputies said he drove up the wrong side of Highway 11. Deputies said he hit three vehicles. The first vehicle lost a mirror, the second was hit head-on by Mason, and the third vehicle was a truck towing lawnmowers.

The sheriff’s office said two females were in the car that Mason hit head on, and both of them and Mason were taken to the hospital. All three were said to have been in critical condition as of Sunday evening.

After the crash, deputies said .45 and AR-15 pistols were found, along with cocaine and fentanyl in Mason’s car and on him.

Mason is facing a list of charges related to Sunday’s chaos. Those offenses are listed below:

• Three counts of attempted first degree murder
• Three counts of shooting into occupied property
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Possession with intent to sell or deliver Schedule I controlled substance

The sheriff’s office said more charges could come later.

Deputies said Mason previously served more than 11 years in prison after he was convicted of second-degree murder and breaking and entering following a 2007 incident. Records showed he was convicted of those crimes in Mecklenburg County.

The Lenoir County sheriff called Sunday’s shootings and crash “tragic” and said his office did not yet know why Mason shot at the Amazon vehicles.

Anyone who witnessed or has information about the events was asked to call Lenoir County Communications at 252-559-6118.

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