Swaths of the East Coast — from South Florida through the Carolinas and into New Jersey — are experiencing significant wildfires amid drier-than-normal conditions and before the spring green-up is fully underway.

I n western North Carolina, wildfires have erupted in areas already devastated by Hurricane Helene, prompting evacuations in Polk County. High winds and downed trees from the hurr

Evacuation orders were issued Sunday for parts of Polk County, North Carolina, where three large wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres combined, officials said.