Elizabeth Estrada - NC Broker

01/26/2026

Don’t let the afternoon melt fool you! 🧊

While the Fletcher area missed the extreme ice some predicted, we’re not out of the woods yet. As temperatures dip into the low 20s tonight, anything that melted today is going to turn into a sheet of glass.

What you need to know:

The "Wet" Trap: If a road looks wet tomorrow morning, it isn't. It’s ice.

Secondary Roads: Main highways might be okay, but neighborhood roads and side streets will be treacherous.

Watch Your Step: Unless your porch or driveway completely dried today, it’s a fall hazard.

The Deep Freeze: Monday night will hit single digits. Even treated areas will refreeze.

The bottom line: If you don't have to be out, stay cozy at home. If you must travel, please take it slow and stay safe!

01/24/2026

03/31/2025

03/28/2025

Evacuation Map Update – Friday, March 28, 12:30 p.m.

The interactive evacuation map for the Black Cove Fire Complex Wildfire has been updated. Residents should check the map regularly for the latest information as fire conditions change.

Please note: The image post is the official map from the N.C. Forest Service. You can view the interactive map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1usnYrYs6pofyEWfoza7jmsfVU3OZWGs&ll=35.28972779902081%2C-82.29389900000001&z=12

Residents can search the map to find their specific address and see your evacuation zone:
🟢 Zone 1 – Ready
🟡 Zone 2 – Set
🔴 Zone 3 – Go

New Updates in Henderson County: A portion of the Big Hungry Area previously in red, now called Spurgeon Cove Lane, has been dropped to Level 2 - Set. There are no further changes or additions in Henderson County.

More information on evacuation levels is available at https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/em/page/levels-fire-evacuation

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Actualización del Mapa de Evacuación – Viernes, 28 de marzo, 12:30 p. m.

El mapa interactivo de evacuación del incendio forestal Black Cove Fire Complex se ha actualizado. Se recomienda a los residentes consultar el mapa regularmente para obtener la información más reciente a medida que cambian las condiciones del incendio.

Nota: La imagen publicada corresponde al mapa oficial del Servicio Forestal de Carolina del Norte. Puede ver el mapa interactivo aquí: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1usnYrYs6pofyEWfoza7jmsfVU3OZWGs&ll=35.28972779902081%2C-82.29389900000001&z=12

Los residentes pueden buscar en el mapa para encontrar su dirección específica y ver su zona de evacuación:
🟢 Zona 1 – Listos
🟡 Zona 2 – Listos
🔴 Zona 3 – ¡Fuera!

Nuevas actualizaciones en el condado de Henderson: Una parte del área de Big Hungry, anteriormente en rojo, ahora llamada Spurgeon Cove Lane, ha sido bajada al Nivel 2 - Listo. No hay más cambios ni adiciones en el condado de Henderson.

Más información sobre los niveles de evacuación disponible en https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/em/page/levels-fire-evacuation

03/27/2025

03/27/2025

Air Quality Alert

Henderson County is under a Code Red Air Quality Day for Thursday, March 27 due to smoke impacts from ongoing wildfires.

The current forecast puts Henderson County one point away from Code Purple, which is code for "very unhealthy." Under these conditions, everyone should avoid outdoor exertion.

Heavy smoke can be dangerous for everyone’s health. Stay indoors as much as possible and use an air filtration system if available. Keep windows and doors closed to limit smoke exposure. In your vehicle, set the air conditioning to “re-circulate.” Avoid outdoor activities, especially those that require physical effort.

If going outside is necessary, a N95 respirator can help filter harmful particles. Cloth masks do not provide adequate protection. Stay hydrated and watch for symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain. Seek medical care immediately if symptoms become severe.

For more detailed information visit https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/discussion/?issued=2025-03-26%2015%3A43%3A23&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2PBiwW9v7wIW6FVafIVA0bV-2ZLiFCmxtd91bnAu1ZzhGd6-3XphHRa-Q_aem_tlEhkqAw0VVL2uP144x_mQ

03/26/2025

Evacuation Map Update

The interactive evacuation map for the Black Cove Fire Complex Wildfire has been updated. Residents should check the map regularly for the latest information as fire conditions change.

View the map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1usnYrYs6pofyEWfoza7jmsfVU3OZWGs&ll=35.27908985363187%2C-82.2939302331713&z=13

Residents can search the map to find their specific address and see your evacuation zone:

🟢 Zone 1 – Get Ready
🟡 Zone 2 – Get Set
🔴 Zone 3 – Go

Please note: Residents in the Laurel Mountain community, now indicated in yellow, can return to their homes. Several areas in Henderson County have been added to green zones, including General Hill Road, Howard Gap Loop Road and Edistow Lane areas and Henderson County portions of Saluda.

Staying informed and prepared is key to protecting yourself and your family. Keep checking back for updates and be ready to act if needed.

More information on evacuation levels is available at https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/em/page/levels-fire-evacuation

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Actualización del Mapa de Evacuación

El mapa interactivo de evacuación para el incendio forestal Black Cove Fire Complex se ha actualizado. Los residentes deben consultar el mapa regularmente para obtener la información más reciente a medida que cambian las condiciones del incendio.

Vea el mapa aquí: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1usnYrYs6pofyEWfoza7jmsfVU3OZWGs&ll=35.27908985363187%2C-82.2939302331713&z=13

Los residentes pueden buscar en el mapa para encontrar su dirección específica y ver su zona de evacuación:

🟢 Zona 1 – Prepárense
🟡 Zona 2 – Listos
🔴 Zona 3 – ¡Fuera!

Nota: Los residentes de la comunidad de Laurel Mountain, ahora marcada en amarillo, pueden regresar a sus hogares. Varias áreas del Condado de Henderson se han agregado a las zonas verdes, incluyendo General Hill Road, Howard Gap Loop Road y Edistow Lane, y partes de Saluda en el Condado de Henderson.

Mantenerse informado y preparado es clave para protegerse y proteger a su familia. Consulte el mapa periódicamente para obtener actualizaciones y esté listo para actuar si es necesario.

Más información sobre los niveles de evacuación disponible en https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/em/page/levels-fire-evacuation

03/26/2025

Henderson County Declares State of Emergency Due to Wildfires

Henderson County Board of Commissioners Chairman William Lapsley has declared a State of Emergency for Henderson County effective 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 24, 2025 due to the wildfires that originated in Polk County.

The State of Emergency will continue until emergency service officials advise otherwise. The County-wide burning ban remains in effect.

Wildfires in various sections of the county have the potential to threaten life and property. Emergency personnel are prepared to take action to evacuate county residents if necessary and support all efforts toward fire suppression.

This State of Emergency ensures that Henderson County has the necessary resources in place to respond to the potential impacts from the wildfires that originated from Polk County.

03/24/2025

General Wildfire Update: 3/24/25

A statewide burn ban remains in place. Though most of the state will see rainfall today, the weather conditions following the rainfall will once again cause ground cover to dry out quickly with fire danger returning, as the gusty winds and low relative humidity causes the moisture to evaporate. Do not burn.

Many locations across the state saw outside fires over the weekend. Thank you to the firefighters across our state that fought fires over the weekend. North Carolina's bravest are among the best in the country.

- The State Emergency Response Team remains in close contact with the counties and is coordinating any resource needs. There are no impediments currently to providing assistance to the counties.

- Over the weekend Polk County Local Government issued several evacuation orders. Many of these orders remain in place. You can follow the latest by visiting https://www.polknc.gov/emergency_management_fire_marshal/evacuations.php.

- The N.C. Forest Service remains in Polk County where a unified command is in place with representatives from the NC Forest Service, Polk County, and Henderson County.

- NCEM has emergency managers on scene filling various incident management team roles in Polk County and remaining in contact with counties statewide.

- NCEM activated the North Carolina Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART) which is staged nearby with a Blackhawk from the North Carolina National Guard and rescue technicians that are specially trained firefighters and rescue technicians to preform helicopter rescues, in the event that firefighters become trapped or injured.

- NCEM has deployed tactical dispatchers, which are disaster trained emergency telecommunications personnel to the Polk County fires. These individuals deployed from Transylvania County 911, NCEM, Rockingham County 911, and Hamlet Rescue.

- NCEM deployed radio caches and communications equipment and supplies to Polk County.

- The NC OSFM (Office of State Fire Marshal) is on scene in Polk County and is assisting with fire department deployments from unimpacted areas. This morning OSFM activated the statewide fire resources rostering system and fire departments across the state are signing up for deployment to the mountains. Over the weekend OSFM helped to coordinate county to county mutual aid of firefighting assets.

- Over the weekend the federal government approved North Carolina's request for the Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). An FMAG provides a financial reimbursement cost share to the state and local units of government for the cost of equipment, personnel, supplies, emergency work, and other costs for the direct management of a declared fire.

- You can monitor the current fires and their status by visiting https://ncfspublic.firesponse.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJOXAtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUysm1CUXBuHO-CbjHm4EsyXbSzUiNhHcIUmZs7n_xljgW4LaJ3MqZP9Sw_aem_VURU7ZMrzGYUMcQCFvQ5lg

- You can monitor the current fire danger levels in North Carolina by visiting https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/fwip/nc_danger/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJOXA9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVJdyNp2IyqWEgvklG9HE2EtcC3K25z0n39huKi-sw-5OxN6jufaEUCpBw_aem_FxoS3zRfq2As3Z8dGRjwyw

- Information on how you can resist wildfire danger at your home can be found at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/resist-wildfire-north-carolina?fbclid=IwY2xjawJOXBFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQxbUstiwjF-ujRVulfHb0mUBjoCTlMAlIqt-o2g_ntrImYp8Fj_5b4V0w_aem_0aq-oTvrq2Xgw-XgK20jnA

Please make sure you have emergency alerts enabled on your cell phone to get the latest from your county emergency management officials.

Visit www.readync.gov for more information on how you and your family can be prepared for all disasters.