Authorities in the US state of North Carolina have issued a mandatory evacuation order in Polk County as wildfires continue to threaten the area, while emergency crew work to contain the flames in an area still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Helene.
According to the State's Department of Public Safety, the mandatory evacuation has begun, with residents warned of the dangers of remaining in the area.
A temporary shelter has been established in Columbus, North Carolina, for residents affected by the evacuation orders. Emergency crew are working around the clock to combat the fires and prevent them from spreading to wider areas.
The western part of the state suffered significant damage from Hurricane Helene last September, with flooding washing away large sections of highways. Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to assess the situation, while strong winds and drought are expected to impact fire control efforts.
