From Progress NC Facebook 11.27.23 post:
"'Droughts, floods, off-season tornados, weird cold snaps and unseasonably warm temperatures: All are hallmarks of a changing climate, not in the future, but happening now.' And we're seeing all of these things right here in North Carolina."
Among the current North Carolina wildfire numbers:
833 acres – Size of the Sauratown wildfire in Stokes County. Last week’s rain helped crews to contain the fire, now at 69%. Fire officials are investigating the cause.
434 acres – Poplar Drive fire in Edneyville, in Henderson County; it is 100% contained. A man was burning debris, which then spread. He has since been charged with a misdemeanor.
1,888 acres – Black Bear fire in Haywood County, which is 80% contained. A car crash on I-40 started the blaze. NOTE: This is the one near the tunnel on I-40 near the TN border with NC.
80 acres – Branch fire in Wilkes County, 100% contained; the cause is under investigation.
5,505 acres – Collett Ridge fire in Cherokee and Clay counties; it is 100% contained. Lightning struck dry vegetation, sparking the fire.
4,589 – Number of wildfires so far in 2023
17,682 acres – Amount of land burned in those fires
6,099 – Number of wildfires in 2022
20,126 acres – Amount of land burned
63,547 acres – Largest amount of land burned because of wildfires in the past 20 years — in 2011
7,260 – Greatest number of wildfires in the past 20 years — in 2007
96 – Number of counties in some stage of drought, ranging from ‘abnormally dry’ to ‘extreme’
13 – Number of counties classified as 'extreme’
Sources: NC Drought Management Advisory Council, NC Forest Service
The extreme weather conditions are happening now. The drought is awful here, the chance of wildfires is a scary thought. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you also have drought conditions. Thanks for your good wishes for today. After all that's all we have, really - today!
Delete...the earth is such a beautiful place to just sit by and watch it burn.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. And having a son who once was a wild-land fire-fighter, I know they are doing their best to put out all those fires.
DeleteHi Barbara, We have the same problem on the west side of the mountains in East Tennessee. Drought continues to be a growing problem with only bits of rain from time to time...almost not worth measuring. Fires abound and many of them are either set (arson) or due to idiots burning trash or leaves. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteOur wildfires are finally under control, thanks to the rain. But we are still in a drought.
ReplyDeleteFrightening.
ReplyDelete