Amid an unsettling wave of wildfires tearing through western North Carolina, Governor Stein has enacted a 30-day extension for the state of emergency, initially declared on March 26. This precautionary measure aims to harness and mobilize every potentially available resource to confront the persistent blazes that have ravaged the region. In a statement obtained by WBTV, Gov. Stein underscored the importance of supporting first responders and various officials who stand on the frontlines, safeguarding the lives and property of North Carolinians against the aggression of wildfires.
Following his acknowledgment of the first responders' relentless efforts, Gov. Stein alluded to a blanket burn ban that spanned from March 21 to April 2. Enforced by the NC Forestry Service, this ban came as a reaction to an alarming surge in wildfire incidents, tallying 2,348 between March and April, as reported by MyFox8. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, in discussion with the press, remarked on the heavy load shouldered by emergency management staff due to a "very busy start" to the spring wildfire season.
The span of the State of Emergency's reach is extensive, encompassing 34 counties in its protective embrace, along with the tribal lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The counties under this mandate range from Alexander to Yancey, as listed by ABC News 4. This coverage indicates a grave concern for a sizeable geographic region, each county likely with its own unique struggles and demands in the face of this environmental calamity.
