Table Rock Complex Fire nears complete containment

Yahoo

04-04-2025

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Crews have made significant progress on the Table Rock Complex fire, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC).
On Thursday, crews confirmed both the Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County and the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County were nearing complete containment.
Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County: Estimated to have burned more than 2,000 acres, 99% contained
Table Rock Fire in Pickens County: Estimated to have stretched across more than 13,800 acres, 91% contained
The Table Rock Fire, which officials said was sparked by three negligent teenagers and a minor, began on March 21. The Persimmon Ridge Fire, which the South Carolina Forestry Commission said was also human-caused, started on March 22.
The fires combined have burned nearly 16,000 acres across Greenville and Pickens Counties, and crossed the state line into North Carolina.
The two incidents were fueled early on by strong winds and dry conditions. However, crews said they reached a turning point this week.
'Thank goodness for rain,' said State Fire Marshal, Jonathan Jones.
The weather, as Jones said, worked in crews' favor with containment efforts that grew stronger by the day. The rainfall was a critical factor that slowed the fire's spread and cooled many hot spots.
While it didn't completely extinguish the fires, it provided much-needed relief, according to the SCFC.
'It's really kept the fire in check. It allowed Forestry crews to get out and solidify containment lines and make sure that there are no threats to the fire spreading,' said Jones.
Although the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires remained active on Thursday, crews from the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported significant progress as they transitioned into a new phase of their response.
'We haven't quite controlled it yet. We're still in containment, suppression mode but now we're in suppression repair mode,' said Madeline Stewart with the South Carolina Forestry Commission. 'People driving through the area may have seen tracks where heavy equipment has been. We're working to cover up and repair areas that have been damaged. We are trying to leave this area as best we can.'
The transition to suppression repair mode reflects a new stage of firefighting efforts, focused on restoring the environment and minimizing long-term damage caused by fire suppression activities.
It's a demanding and time-consuming job, one that Stewart said could likely last for several weeks.
Additional crews remained on standby to respond if needed, while some resources began to demobilize. The SCFC said firefighters continue to patrol more than 60 miles around the fire perimeter, extinguishing any active hot spots.
'Crews go in and feel with their bare hands for hot spots. We also use drone technology to sense hot spots and we go in and extinguish those,' said Stewart.
State fire leaders said they gain new insights into how to handle future emergencies with each major incident. One recurring theme, according to Jonathan Jones, is the strength of South Carolina's fire service.
'Just how robust the South Carolina fire service is and their willingness for neighbors to help neighbors, regardless of the jurisdiction,' said Jones.
Officials said the fires have led to the largest state Firefighter Mobilization since the program's inception in 2000.
'To see that many resources come across to help others, it's been a pretty impressive thing to watch,' said Chad Beam who's a part of the Emergency Response Task Force with South Carolina State Fire.
The South Carolina Firefighter Mobilization Program allows the state to quickly deploy fire resources from various jurisdictions to respond to large-scale emergencies, such as wildfires, natural disasters, or other significant incidents, according to SC State Fire.
A thousand firefighters were mobilized from across the state, along with nearly 400 vehicles, including engines, brush trucks, UTVs, and additional federal support. These valuable resources were used to tackle what is now the Upstate's largest fire in history.
'Every fire is unique, and we've needed every bit of expertise available. We are so grateful for the additional help,' said Stewart.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said their mop-up operations will continue until the fires are fully contained and completely under control.
Meanwhile, officials have lifted all evacuation orders related to the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires. A portion of Table Rock State Park is expected to reopen on Monday, April 6.
The timeline could change based on ongoing assessments of the park's trails and overall fire conditions.
The SCFC said the cost of combating a fire of this magnitude is anticipated to exceed $1 million, covering expenses such as suppression efforts, infrastructure damage, the use of firefighting resources, and other related factors.
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