Officials say potential for wildfire activity is above normal in WNC, SC [Video]

The North Carolina Forest Service said the potential for increased wildfire activity is above normal in November.(Video above: WYFF News 4 Morning Headlines)Officials said in the aftermath of Helene, the amount of fuel on the ground is excessive. Smaller diameter fuels and leaf litter will quickly dry out. Due to damage to roads, unstable ground and downed trees, it will be difficult for first responders to access some wildfires which increases the potential for large wildfires in the most heavily impacted areas. With debris burning expected to increase, human-caused ignitions will likely increase, especially during any lengthy periods of low precipitation, abundant sunshine and poor overnight relative humidity recovery.From The National Interagency Fire Center’s National Outlook: Tree destruction behind Hurricane Helene’s 80-100+ miles per hour wind gusts will have long-lasting impacts to the fire environment, extending from its landfall along the Florida Big Bend through southern and eastern Georgia, the …