A fire over the weekend in the Hwy 176 area and Howard Gap area of Polk County is currently estimated to have spread to 481 acres and is at 30% containment, according to an early-morning report by the North Carolina Forest Service.

Crews have worked hard to contain the 3910 Fire through back burn operations, reinforcing fire lines, protecting homes in the area, and spraying fires. Additional crews from outside of the county have been brought in to help contain the fire.

Because of the dangerous fire conditions, Polk County was placed under a burn ban notice on Sunday, March 2, by Polk County’s Fire Marshal’s Office. The ban on all open burning within 100 feet of a structure will be in effect until conditions drastically improve.

North Carolina Forest Service conducted back burns in the areas of Bear Creek Road, Hanging Rock Road, Ocean View Lane, and on 176 near Tau Rock Vineyard Lane on Sunday, March 3and will continue back burns today (March 4). Additional crew from outside of the county have been brought in to help contain the fire.

While there have been rumors that the fire has crossed 176 on the river side of the road, this is not true and the fire remains on the right side of 176 going towards Saluda.

Please continue to monitor the Facebook pages of Polk County Local Government and Polk County Emergency Management/Fire Marshall for additional information.