LIST: Wildfires burning in the Upstate, WNC, Georgia
(WSPA) — Wildfires are burning in the Upstate, western North Carolina, and Georgia prompting evacuations in seven counties.
High winds, abnormally dry conditions and debris from Hurricane Helene have only increased difficulty for firefighting crews.
Since March 21, the has burned 2,293 acres and is 0% contained.
The fire began while Pickens County deputies were searching for Stephanie Womacks, a hiker who was last seen on March 3.
Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said the fire was started by the 'negligent act' of a group of teenage hikers, cutting short efforts to locate Womacks.
Officials with the SC Forestry Commission said high winds, low humidity and debris left over from Hurricane Helene have aided the fire's growth.
Evacuations have been announced for Pickens, Greenville and Transylvania counties.
The in Greenville County was first reported on Sunday night. So far, the fire has burned 996 acres and is 0% contained.
According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the fire was caused by people in the area of Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, southeast of Caesars Head State Park. Details regarding how the fire started are unclear.
Greenville County Emergency Management said evacuations are in effect due to the Table Rock Fire and Persimmon Ridge fire being so close to one another.
Residents evacuating from Pickens and Greenville counties can go to Marietta First Baptist Church
Multiple wildfires started in Polk County last week.
So far, the has burned 3,046 acres and is 0% contained. Evacuations have been announced for Polk and Henderson counties. The fire was started by a downed power line around 2 p.m. on March 19.
The burned 2,923 acres and is 0% contained. Evacuations have been announced for Polk and Henderson counties.
The NC Forest Service said the Deep Woods fire is burning on state-owned and private land in the Green River Gorge and the Holbert Cove community around five miles northwest of Columbus.
The is the smallest and most contained of the ongoing wildfires in the county. The fire has burned 199 acres, but is 72% contained.
No evacuations have been announced for the Fish Hook fire at this time. The fire was caused by a downed power line.
Polk County residents that have been evacuated can go to 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus. Evacuated Henderson County residents can go to the Henderson County Parks & Recreation Athletics and Activities Center at 708 South Grove Street in Hendersonville.
A has burned 1,000 acres, county officials said Wednesday.
According to Swain County Emergency management, three roads in the county are under evacuation.
The fire is 0% contained at this time. The cause of the fire is unknown.
The Rattlesnake Branch fire is currently burning in Haywood County. So far, the fire has burned 75 acres and is 0% contained. There are currently no evacuations in effect.
Officials have not yet said what caused the fire.
A wildfire is burning at South Winds Drive near Highway 221. The size of the fire is unknown.
According to Rutherford County Emergency Management, the fire has been roughly contained as of 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Evacuations are in effect for residents of South Winds Drive and Davenport Road in Rutherfordton.
An emergency shelter is located at First Presbyterian Church at 252 N. Washington Street.
A 25-acre wildfire is burning in the Dix Creek and Leicester area of Buncombe County. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire is 0% contained.
Crews responded to the scene and have asked that people avoid the area.
The Monteith Branch brush fire was first reported around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
So far, the fire has burned 20 acres and is 0% contained.
The fire is near Skyland Drive in Sylva. No evacuations have been announced at this time.
According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, a wildfire has burned 15 acres near Hart Lankford Road. The fire is 0% contained at this time.
The Hart County Sheriff's Office urged drivers to avoid Lankford Road between Bowersville Highway and Adamstown Road. The road is closed due to the fire.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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