VIDEO: North Carolina experienced a significant increase in wildfires in December 2025 compared to the previous year, state officials confirmed.
A total of 724 wildfire incidents were reported on state and privately owned land last month, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. This marks a 32% rise compared to December 2024, the state agency said.
Multiple wildfires were reported throughout western North Carolina in the past week, including the Haircomb Gap Fire, a private dump fire in Highlands, an overnight fire in Swannanoa, and more.
Dry, windy conditions and leftover debris from Hurricane Helene have created fuel for the recent uptick in wildfires in western North Carolina.
“We’ve run into this challenge just over the last week when dealing with the Haircomb Gap Fire that burned in Rutherford County,” said Philip Jackson with the N.C. Forest Service. “The accessibility and the fuel load left behind from Hurricane Helene is going to continue to be an issue over the next probably – I’d say – probably decade.”
