Polk County Public Information Officer Kellie Cannon gave an update at noon on Friday, March 28, about the fires in Polk County and the ongoing efforts to control the blazes.

Cannon gave these numbers:

Black Cove Fire
3,288 Acres
17% Containment
55 Homes Evacuated

Deep Wood Fire
3,373 Acres
30 % Containment
127 Homes Evacuated

The Piney Mountain Community evacuation order has been lifted and those residents are allowed to return back to their homes.

Fish Hook Fire
199 Acres
95% Containment
0 Homes Evacuated

Please check the Official Interactive Evacuation Preparation Map at www.PolkNC.gov/FireUpdates for more information on current evacuations.

Also, Cannon discussed Gov. Josh Stein’s visit to the Black Cove Complex Emergency Operation Center on Thursday, “where he was briefed by both Forest Service and Polk County,” Cannon said. “We are grateful for his support especially after he recently declared a state of emergency.”

Cannon also stated that the Forest Service has announced it is at capacity and can no longer accept any donated items from the public. “We appreciate the community’s generosity and supporting our firefighters but we have run out of storage space for these donations,” Cannon said.

Any further donations to be made to the local Polk County Fire departments.

Green Creek Fire Department (501c3) 8645 Hwy 9 South Columbus NC 28722
Town of Columbus Fire Department (501c3) P.O. Box 713, Columbus NC 28722
Mill Spring Fire Department (501c3) P.O. Box 7, Mill Spring NC 28756
Sunny View Fire Department (501c3) 5865 Hwy 9 North Mill Spring NC 28756
Tryon Fire department 56 west Howard St. Tryon NC 28782
Saluda Fire Department (501c3) 199 Walnut St Saluda NC 28773
Online https://saludafire.org/donate/