State Of Emergency Declared In The Carolinas After Wildfires Prompt Evacuations
on Mar 03, 2025
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency as hundreds of wildfires burn in the state and its northern neighbor.
More than 170 fires have been reported in South Carolina alone and at least 5000 acres have burned. The wildfires started as a result of dry conditions and high winds fueled the blazes.
The largest fire in the Palmetto state is currently burning in Carolina Forest just west of Myrtle Beach. The South Carolina Forestry Commission reports that the fire is 0% contained and has burned 1200 acres.
Residents near the blaze were evacuated but were allowed to return home late Sunday with warnings about hot spots and the potential for pop-up fires. As of Sunday night, the Carolina Forest blaze has not affected any structures or caused any injuries.
More than 400 personnel from 30 departments were on hand to help battle the blazes. A statewide burn ban was issued while the state awaits much-needed rain and a reprieve from high winds.
In North Carolina, firefighters are fighting fires of their own.
In the Blue Ridge Mountains, a fire sparked by a downed power line has burned roughly 500 acres and is 0% contained. The brush fire is located near Ashville, North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene caused devastating flooding just five months ago.
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Numerous operations are underway in the air and on the ground to combat the fires.
The U.S. Forest Service in North Carolina issued a warning early Monday
Fires on the National Forests in North Carolina have crews increasing containment and are not expected to experience any significant growth, especially as weather less beneficial to fire spread moves into the area Tuesday night.
The combination of dry fuels, limited rainfall, and very low humidity will lead to an elevated risk of adverse fire behavior today. People are urged to avoid outdoor burning today – careless debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires. Residents and visitors are urged to check burn bans and fire restrictions.
“The combination of dry fuels, limited rainfall, and very low humidity will lead to an elevated risk of adverse fire behavior today. People are urged to avoid outdoor burning today – careless debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires. Residents and visitors are urged to check burn bans and fire restrictions,” they wrote in a statement on Facebook.
They added that the fires “have increasing containment” and are not expected to grow, but that residents need to be aware of any changes otherwise.
As of press time, only three of the reported fires in South Carolina are still burning, according to local news outlets. Fire and rescue personnel in both states are being hailed as heroes for their quick response and treatment of the blazes.
