Woods Fire Archives | Randolph News Now

Nov142023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Increased Fire Danger Today as Crews Return from Battling Poplar Drive Fire

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ASHEBORO N.C. - A warning from the National Weather Service of increased fire danger today comes as local fire crews return from assisting with the Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County. Today at 9:15 a.m., the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh issued a notice that low humidity, dry conditions, and northeasterly wind gusts of up to 15 mph will create conditions for an increased fire danger today through 7 p.m. Officials strongly encourage citizens to avoid any outdoor burning, properly discard cigarette butts and matches and be careful with equipment that may cause sparks. The warnings come amid an uptick in brush and forest fires. In Randolph County, in just the last two weeks fire crews have responded to around 70 grass, brush, or forest fires. The N.C....

Unattended Camp Fire sparks Woods Fire in Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Area

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(Photo by Jared Byrd / Randolph County Emergency Services) ASHEBORO N.C. - Officials are saying an unattended campfire is to blame for starting a woods fire that consumed around 1.5 acres in the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Area this afternoon. At around 2 pm, firefighters from Ulah Fire Department along with Rangers from the NC Forestry Service were dispatched to the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Area for a report of a woods fire. According to a post on Facebook by the Ulah Fire Department the fire was located approximately 1.5 miles into the Birkhead Wilderness trails. Personnel had the fire contained within an hour of reaching its point of origin and were able to clear the scene at around 4:30 pm. No injuries were reported.

Despite Warnings Of High Fire Danger, Crews Called To Six Out-of-Control Fires Yesterday

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Fire crews from several departments responded to an out of control fire on Pine Lakes Dr that threatened two homes. ASHEBORO N.C. - Despite warnings from the North Carolina Forest Service of a High fire danger yesterday, fire crews across the county responded to at least six out of control fires. Yesterday the North Carolina Forest Service warned of an increased fire danger resulting from warm and dry conditions with low humidity and winds of 10 to 15 mph that were gusting as high as 20 and 25 mph. Their warning said that outdoor burning was highly discouraged, but did not go as far as banning outdoor burning. Some people who were either unaware of the fire danger or thought they could burn safely quickly found themselves calling 911. Fire crews in Randolph County respond to 6 ou...