The effort to contain three wildfires in Polk County stretched into Sunday as mandatory evacuation orders remained in place.
A statewide burn ban issued Friday morning was in effect as warm, dry and breezy weather continued through the weekend.
The N.C. Emergency Management division said Sunday that a federal grant to help battle the western wildfire had been approved and that the agency is assisting in Polk County with communications, personnel and the N.C. Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team, which includes a Black Hawk helicopter that can carry out rescues if firefighters need evacuation.
A Code Red Air Quality Alert was extended through Sunday night for Polk County because of the fires, and a Code Orange Alert continued in neighboring Rutherford County, state environmental officials said.
North Carolina Forest Service officials held a community meeting Sunday afternoon for Polk County residents affected by the fires, and a shelter was open at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus.
Brush fires were burning elsewhere in the state Sunday, including two in Caldwell County had consumed about 55 acres.
In South Carolina, the governor declared an emergency in response to a growing wildfire in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Table Rock Fire in Pickens County started Friday.
“As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement.
North Carolina officials said Friday that high winds and terrain in the mountainous western part of the state created challenges for firefighters in Polk County. Visibility was reduced, and they warned that roads and evacuation routes may become blocked.
Related: Forest officials issue statewide burn ban
The Fish Hook Fire, near Lake Adger, on Green River Cove Road started due to a downed power line and had burned more than 150 acres as of Sunday evening, according to the N.C. Forest Service. The fire was 50% contained.
Polk County officials said late Saturday that residents of the Lake Adger subdivision could return after an evacuation order was lifted but added that other such orders remained in effect. At least six buildings were destroyed in the fire, officials said.
The Deep Woods Fire on Piney Mountain Road had burned more than 1,100 acres as of Sunday evening, with 0% containment, according to the Forest Service. This fire has claimed one building, with another damaged, Polk County officials said.
The Black Cove fire, which started off Green River Cove Road, was at more than 1,200 acres with 0% containment as of Sunday evening, according to the Forest Service.
Firefighters from across North Carolina have been focusing on battling the blazes in the mountains, and the statewide ban on open burning has helped reduce the chances of new outbreaks elsewhere, the Forest Service said on Sunday.
Gov. Josh Stein urged residents to heed evacuation guidance in a post Sunday afternoon.
North Carolina's western region already had been hit hard by Hurricane Helene in September. The storm damaged or affected 5,000 miles of state-maintained roads and 7,000 private roads, bridges and culverts in the state.