High temperatures, strong winds and low humidity are causing a group of wildfires to spread rapidly through western North Carolina, risking further damage to areas already ravaged by Hurricane Helene.

N.C. Forest Service has issued a statewide burn ban while three substantial, uncontained wildfires prompt mandatory evacuations in Polk County.

Wildfires have burned thousands of acres in the Carolinas, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders. In North Carolina, three wildfires were burning in Polk County, located south of Asheville along the North Carolina border with South Carolina.