Wildfires continue to spread across the western regions of North and South Carolina, with dry, windy conditions fueling the flames.
State agencies report that over 12,000 acres have burned in South Carolina alone, while North Carolina is currently battling four separate fires.
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Dr. Beverly Hargus, a local veterinarian, describes the situation as dire, explaining that debris left behind by a previous hurricane has acted as fuel for the fires. “Everything is so dry that it’s burning rapidly, and the wind is making it unpredictable,” she said. With her clinic just a mile and a half from the fire, she and her team have begun preparing for a possible evacuation, organizing essential equipment and documents while waiting to see how the fire progresses.
Hargus’ clinic is already housing evacuated pets, but if the fire moves closer, they will need to relocate the animals again. While her facility is unable to accommodate large animals, the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center has taken in horses, goats, and sheep.
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“We started receiving calls from displaced pet owners on Sunday night, and we’ve been placing dogs and cats wherever we can,” Hargus said. “For larger animals, we direct them to the agricultural center, which has plenty of stalls.”
As the fires advance, Hargus admits she feels overwhelmed by the uncertainty and difficult decisions ahead.
Source: With input from agency