Wildfire risk grows in western North Carolina as gusty winds dry out trees downed by Helene

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Southern Appalachian communities still recovering from Helene are on alert as weather conditions this week are producing a multiday wildfire risk, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

The wildfire risk will peak each afternoon through Thursday as dry westerly winds will pick up across the Appalachians, producing gusts of up to 30 mph, and cause humidity levels to drop to around or below 30% across the region.

These are particularly dangerous conditions, as the affected region has tens of thousands of trees that were downed by historic flash floods caused by Helene over a year ago, and these trees will serve as kindling for many years to come.

The FOX Forecast Center noted that the dry conditions will last through Friday, but the wildfire threat will decrease as the wi