Lake Lure, N.C., wildfire doubles in size; multiple fires burn across state

LAKE LURE , N.C., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- A wildfire near Lake Lure, N.C., doubled in size overnight, stoked by continued dry conditions and low humidity, emergency officials said.

The Party Rock fire in Chimney Rock State Park, 1 mile north of the resort community of Lake Lure in Rutherford County, grew to 977 acres. Declared 30 percent contained on Wednesday, the North Carolina Forest Service said Friday it is now 15 percent contained.

Strong winds are expected Friday, and the fire is expected to move northwest. While there have been no reports of burned buildings or injuries, homes have been evacuated in the area.

The fire is one of several wildfires burning across the state. Mandatory evacuations were issued for Clay, Macon and Swain counties as fires burn in Nantahala National Forest. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory announced a state of emergency Friday as the fire at Lake Lure moved into Buncombe County, adding he is considering mobilizing the state's National Guard to help contain the fires.

Fires in Graham County have consumed 6,000 acres; a fire near the town of Hayesville, in Ashland County, has burned nearly 600 acres, and 14 different fires on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, where a state of emergency was declared Thursday, has consumed at least 450 acres.