Firefighters continue to try to contain three wildfires in western North Carolina. Crews are facing challenges with dry weather and mountainous terrain.

State officials on Wednesday extended a burn ban to cover 30 counties in the mountains and east to Interstate 77.

Poplar Drive Fire

The Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County, about 20 miles southeast of Asheville, covers 431 acres and is threatening dozens of homes and other structures. 

The fire has stayed in the same footprint for several days, according to the North Carolina Forest Service, giving crews the chance to build containment lines.

The fire is about 15% contained, state officials said.

The Poplar Drive Fire is 15% contained, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. (NCFS)

“One home, an outbuilding, and an uninhabited cabin have been lost, while another home sustained damage,” the Forest Service said Wednesday. “Homes remain threatened in and along the area of the fire.”

Two firefighters have had minor injuries in the blaze, the Forest Service said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

State officials said more than 220 people are working to fight the fire and protect homes along the containment lines.

Collett Ridge Fire

The Collett Ridge Fire in Cherokee County, in the southwestern corner of North Carolina, has been burning since Oct. 23. The fire continues to grow and now covers almost 3,000 acres in Nantahala National Forest. 

The Forest Service said the fire is 0% contained.

“The fire is burning is very steep, forested, and remote terrain making it very difficult to access directly,” the Forest Service said. 

State and federal agencies have crews on the ground, along with helicopters and a plane, working to contain the fire.

“The fire continued to grow, mainly to the southwest and southeast along the ridgeline,” the Forest said. “Multiple aircraft were used to slow the progression of the fire.”

“Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) dropped 12,000 gallons of retardant on the southwestern corner and a helicopter was used to perform water drops on the southeastern corner. By slowing the fire spread, this provides firefighters time to establish containment lines,” the Forest Service said.

East Fork Fire

The East Fork Fire in Jackson County, about 50 miles west of Asheville, has been burning since Nov. 4.

The fire has burned about 125 acres and is 0% contained.

“Fire behavior is very active and is burning in steep and rugged terrain,” the Forest Service said. “Firefighters are working on establishing containment lines around the fire and conducting burn out operations where terrain and weather conditions allow.”

The Forest Service said there are a few structures in the area that could be threatened by the fire and crews are working to protect them.