Brush Fires Erupt in North Carolina and South Carolina, Prompting Evacuations
Brush fires broke out in both North Carolina and South Carolina on Saturday, forcing officials to issue evacuation orders.
In Polk County, North Carolina, a fire had burned at least 400 acres and remained uncontained as of late Saturday night, according to the North Carolina Fire Service. Structures were potentially at risk, and officials planned to assess damage on Sunday morning. Residents along U.S. Highway 176 between the towns of Tryon and Saluda were urged to evacuate, with warnings on Facebook that the fire was spreading rapidly despite efforts by multiple fire departments. Tryon and Saluda are located about 40 miles south of Asheville. Displaced residents were directed to seek shelter at the Polk County Meeting Place in Columbus.
In South Carolina, Horry County Fire Rescue ordered evacuations for several neighborhoods in the Carolina Forest area, approximately 10 miles west of Myrtle Beach, as crews worked to contain a wildfire. Officials stated they were monitoring weather conditions and preparing to adjust their life safety and property protection plans as needed.
State Rep. Tim McGinnis shared on Facebook that two planes and a Blackhawk helicopter would be deployed Sunday morning to drop water on the fire, while tractors would be used to dig containment lines. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, announced a statewide burning ban due to the dangerous wildfire conditions, warning that anyone starting a fire would face jail time.
A red flag warning from the National Weather Service for western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina expired late Saturday night. Such warnings indicate critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent.
Additional Coverage:
- A woman was accused of looting a home in the Palisades fire area while wearing a "Palisades Strong" shirt.
- Senator Schiff urged the Trump administration to exclude firefighters from the federal hiring freeze.
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(Photos: Horry County Fire Rescue)
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