HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. — Parts of North Carolina are under a state of emergency as wildfires rip through the western part of the state.
Governor Cooper said the executive order will support firefighters with resources to protect people and their property.
It's a frightening sight to see homes in the woods of Patrick County covered by falling embers of fire. Silhouettes of firefighters working among an orange sky as the 850-acre wildfire rages across Woolwine, Virginia.
In a matter of two days, the fire grew from 100 to 850 acres.
Five surrounding county fire departments and the Virginia Forestry Department are all working to contain the blaze.
It's a similar effort in Henderson County, North Carolina.
More than 20 different agencies are working to get control of a more than 430-acre fire along Poplar Drive.
Chase Loye and two other Summerfield firefighters made the commute to Henderson with a tanker and pickup truck to help get the fire under control.
"I have yet to see a fire hydrant; so one of the biggest obstacles is water," Loye said. "That's what I've been doing since I've been here, hauling water to different locations to top off brush trucks."
According to fire officials, one home, a cabin, and an outhouse were burned down and another home had serious damage since the fire started Friday.
Many other homes are threatened.
"On this side of the mountain we're working on, there's probably 50 homes here.," Loye said. "We've been going from house to house moving all the leaves and debris away from the home while soaking down a 100-foot barrier around the houses."
The North Carolina Forest Service said two firefighters were hurt trying to battle the brutal flames. They have since been treated and released.
Loye said he's willing to sacrifice his life to protect families living in the area.
"These people are nervous, stressed, and scared. So, it means a lot that I can be here to take some of that worry off of them," Loye said.
The Henderson County fire is just 15% contained and with dry conditions, there is a high risk of sparking again.
Fire officials said Thursday they will create borderlines around the fire.
The fire in Patrick County is near homes but there are no reports of evacuations or injuries.
The fire there is 35% contained.
No cause has been announced for either wildfire at this time.