Wildfires in North and South Carolina Burn More Than 6,000 Acres, Prompting State Emergencies and Evacuations
High temperatures, strong winds, and dry air have fueled dangerous wildfires across North Carolina and South Carolina. These fires have already destroyed over 6,000 acres of land, forced people to leave their homes, and led to state emergencies and burn bans in both states.
Why Are The Wildfires So Intense?
The main reason for the fires spreading so fast is the large amount of dry, dead trees and leaves left behind after Hurricane Helene. According to Jeremy Waldrop from the North Carolina Forest Service, the ground is filled with “the most fuel” he’s seen in his 20-year career. The fallen timber from the hurricane is like free food for the fire, making it hard for firefighters to control the flames.
Evacuations in North Carolina
In Polk County, North Carolina, the Department of Public Safety ordered mandatory evacuations over the weekend. Polk County is a rural area with about 20,000 residents. Unfortunately, many people there have poor internet and phone service, making it harder for everyone to receive emergency alerts.
Local resident Melissa Holland shared that most people are relying on neighbors and word of mouth to know what’s going on. For safety, an evacuation shelter has been set up in Columbus, North Carolina.
Officials have warned people in strong words:
“Visibility will be low, roads may get blocked, and if you don’t leave now, you might be trapped, hurt, or worse.”
Fires Still Out of Control
As of Sunday night:
- Black Cove Fire near Saluda, NC: Over 2,076 acres burned
- Deep Woods Fire near Columbus, NC: About 2,545 acres burned
- Fish Hook Fire near Lake Adger: Burned less than 199 acres (Evacuations lifted here)
Sadly, 4 homes have already been destroyed, and the air quality is so bad that a Code Red Alert has been issued. This means the air is unhealthy even for healthy people.
About 249 firefighters from all over the country are battling these fires, trying hard to contain them. But as of now, the fires remain uncontained.
South Carolina Faces Similar Danger
South Carolina is also facing tough conditions. Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency due to two major fires:
- Table Rock Fire in Pickens County: Over 1,300 acres burned
- Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County: Reached 800 acres
Authorities believe both fires were human-caused. Because of the risk, the state issued a burn ban and called for voluntary evacuations near Table Rock State Park.
So far, 100 homes have been evacuated.
National Guard Joins The Fight
To help, the South Carolina National Guard has deployed powerful aircraft:
- One CH-47 Chinook helicopter
- Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters
- Two single-engine Fire Boss tankers
These helicopters are dropping water on the fires, as shown in videos released by the National Guard. Massive smoke plumes are rising from the hills, making the job even more difficult.
How Hurricane Helene Made Things Worse
The leftover debris from Hurricane Helene, which hit last year, is a big reason the fires are so severe. Downed trees and dry leaves have added more fuel, making it easier for fires to spread fast.
Helene also caused huge damage to over 5,000 miles of roads and 7,000 private roads, bridges, and culverts in North Carolina.
Weather Forecast: Any Relief?
There’s a little hope. A cold front moving from Texas is expected to bring some rain early Monday morning. It won’t be a heavy rain, but any amount helps in slowing down the fire’s spread.
However, this might be the only rainfall for the entire week. Another round of rain is expected only by the weekend.
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