Full Notification

INCREASED FIRE DANGER IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

Very strong westerly winds have developed across western North Carolina this afternoon, resulting in very dry and warm conditions. Relative humidity has dropped to around 10 percent across much of the area, while winds will continue to gust from 35 to 45 mph into the evening hours. The very dry air is causing vegetation to dry out rapidly despite this morning`s rainfall, and several wildfires have been reported across the area this
afternoon. Additional wildfires will be possible into the evening, especially due to downed power lines. The strong winds could result in rapid spread of any fires that are started.

As of 5:30 p.m. over 1,300 locations in McDowell County are without power.  Sugar Hill Rd. at the entrance to Walmart is shutdown due to trees, power lines, and traffic signals down.  Should you encounter a traffic light out, the intersection should be treated as a four-way stop.