North Carolina officials charged with leading recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene — as well as parts of eastern North Carolina still struggling from previous hurricanes — told state lawmakers this week that they need more money.

The fire is happening while Western North Carolina is under an increased fire danger warning due to gusty winds, making it more difficult to contain.

On Wednesday at 4:07 a.m. the NWS Blacksburg VA issued an updated wind advisory. The advisory is for Ashe, Alleghany, Surry, Watauga and Wilkes counties.

Calling it the "biggest sham ever" on North Carolina taxpayers, Republican state Rep. Brendan Jones said pace of recovery from a hurricane more than six years ago is unacceptable. He let the embattled office created by the former Democratic governor know how his home of Columbus County felt in a Thursday joint legislative meeting.

Wednesday marked four months since Hurricane Helene ravaged the western Carolinas - and residents in McDowell County are facing yet another hardship.

Months after Hurricane Helene disrupted the academic year for thousands of students and their families, spring enrollment is up at the UNC System’s three mountain universities.

On Tuesday at 2:34 p.m. the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC issued a wind advisory valid for Wednesday between midnight and 6 p.m. The advisory is for Caldwell Mountains, Burke Mountains and McDowell Mountains.

A celebrity tennis event will be held Sunday in Asheville to benefit nonprofits in western North Carolina. Stars Servin’ Up Love brings retired tennis greats Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick along with current stars Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville.

Emergency funding from the N.C. General Assembly allowed the universities to fix damaged infrastructure, boost financial aid, and cover spring tuition for all students at UNC Asheville.

Kenan Wood ’25 is the first Davidson College student to be awarded the prestigious Churchill Scholarship. The scholarship offers full funding for top American students in STEM fields to attend a master’s degree research program at Cambridge University’s Churchill College.

In the must-see video above, evacuations were ordered after a wildfire ignited in McDowell County, western North Carolina, on Wednesday, January 29.