On Saturday, brush fires ignited under extremely dry and windy conditions, leading officials in both North Carolina and South Carolina to issue urgent evacuation orders. One significant fire in Polk County, North Carolina, has already consumed at least 400 acres and is reported to be at zero containment. According to Jeremy Waldrop from the North Carolina Fire Service, the situation is critical, with potential risks to local structures. Officials plan to assess the damage on Sunday morning, as the fire continues to spread rapidly.
Polk County officials took to social media, announcing evacuations for residents living along U.S. Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda. This warning highlights the urgency of the situation, as multiple fire departments are working diligently to contain the blaze. The towns affected—Tryon and Saluda—are home to approximately 1,500 and under 1,000 residents, respectively, and are located about 40 miles south of Asheville.
Meanwhile, in South Carolina, Horry County Fire Rescue has also enacted evacuations for several neighborhoods within the Carolina Forest, situated around 10 miles west of Myrtle Beach. The specific acreage burned by this wildfire remains unclear, and no containment has been reported as of yet. Horry County officials are closely monitoring weather conditions, prepared to modify their life safety and property protection plans as necessary to adapt to evolving situations.
In an effort to combat the flames, two planes along with a Blackhawk helicopter are scheduled to drop water on the fire Sunday morning, as confirmed by South Carolina state Rep. Tim McGinnis. Additionally, tractors are on route to the affected areas to help dig containment lines around the blaze. This coordinated response underscores the urgency of the situation as fire crews work to control the spread of the fire.
As the fires escalate, the South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued a statewide burn ban affecting all counties. This decision comes after more than 100 fire ignitions were reported on Saturday alone. Furthermore, a red flag warning from the National Weather Service which indicated critical fire weather conditions expired late Saturday night for both western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. These warnings serve as a reminder of the heightened risk of wildfires in the region.
Residents in both states are urged to stay informed and heed evacuation orders as fire crews continue to battle these threatening brush fires. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
