Above: The map shows the locations of some of the larger wildfires currently burning in Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Firefighters continue to battle dozens of fires in the southern United States while the residents in the area try to figure out how to live with the smoke.

Fire managers are hoping for a break in the weeks-long dry period, but through Friday at least they should expect more of the same. However there is a chance for rain on Saturday.

Here we will look at six of the larger fires in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Party Rock Fire

The Party Rock Fire has been burning just north of Lake Lure, North Carolina since November 5. It has blackened 4,480 acres, an increase of 736 acres, and forced evacuations at Bat Cave and residences on the east side of Hwy 9. In recent days it has been most active on the north and southwest sides.

Rock Mountain Fire

The Rock Mountain Fire has burned 6,747 acres in the northeast corner of Georgia, an increase of 1,263 acres over the previous 24 hours primarily on the northeast and west sides. The Type 1 Incident Management Team reports that 75 structures are threatened, but none have been destroyed.

Boteler Fire

(See the map above)

The spread of the 8,967 Boteler Fire in the southwest corner of North Carolina has slowed considerably in recent days, only increasing by 42 acres according to the last report. Fire managers said 197 structures remain threatened, while none have been destroyed.

Chestnut Knob Fire

The Chestnut Knob fire has burned 4,600 acres seven miles southeast of Morganton, North Carolina. On Tuesday it was more active than earlier this week, with longer flame lengths, uphill runs, flanking, and some spotting. Firefighters have been working on removing fuel along Rich Mountain Road by strategic burning.

Pinnacle Mountain Fire

The Pinnacle Mountain Fire has burned 2,765 acres 10 miles north of Picken, South Carolina, an increase of 452 acres over the previous mapping. The fire is being driven by steep topography and currently threatens 700 structures. Fire managers are planning a large burnout for Thursday. National Guard helicopters have been assisting firefighters on the ground by dropping water.

Smoke created by the fires

For the latest articles at Wildfire Today about how smoke from the wildfires is affecting various locations in the South, check out the articles tagged “smoke”.