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Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Live updates: Table Rock Complex fire has burned over 11,000 acres, 0% containment
The Table Rock Fire continues to grow, with significant fire activity on the north perimeter toward the North Carolina state line, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Crews will continue strengthening containment lines to the east and west fire perimeters while focusing on structure protection. Today, firefighters will continue burnout operations along the eastern perimeter of the fire and hold existing firebreaks in the northwest perimeter in the area of Caesars Head. The City of Greenville posted on social: "We've got extreme conditions. It's very difficult to get lines to hold. That's why you're seeing 0% containment," state forestry officials said Friday. The Table Rock Complex Fire has burned over 11,000 acres in less than a week, according to the SCFC. Despite the work of 500 plus firefighters and hundreds of thousands of gallons of water the fires continue to grow. Dry air, winds, and ground fuel from Hurricane Helene debris are all to blame. The best hope now is a strong chance for rain on Sunday and Monday. "So everybody put that in your prayers," said SC Gov. Henry McMaster. The weather may be improving, but the danger is not over! Wind conditions continue to change and are hard to predict. Local authorities are still assessing conditions, and evacuation orders remain in place. Do not attempt to return home until officials give the all-clear. Size: 10,904 acres Containment: 0% Start Date: March 21, 2025 Cause: Human-caused Size: 1,992 acres Containment: 2,078 acres Start Date: March 22, 2025 Cause: Human-caused Conditions leading to a red flag warning from the National Weather Service will increase fire activity and perimeter growth, as relative humidity is expected to fall below 20 percent with wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour. Existing evacuations, including Sassafras Mountain Overlook and F Van Clayton Memorial Hwy, remain in place. A statewide burning ban remains in effect - all outdoor burning is prohibited - including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires, and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state. Fire information: 803-906-9730 (8 a.m.-8 p.m.) Evacuation information: 864-467-3428 Email: Facebook pages to follow: Pickens County SC Greenville County Emergency Management The South Carolina Forestry Commission Zoomable map: This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Live updates: Table Rock, Persimmon Ridge fires grow, 0% containment
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Carolina wildfires: High winds, low humidity significantly increase threat
Strong winds and low humidity could create significant problems for firefighers in the Carolinas on Friday, as wildfires continue to rage throughout both states, officials said. Red flag warnings are in place for the western Carolinas on Friday with wind gusts reaching 30 mph and a relative humidity as low as 20%, officials said. "The concern is, until they are contained, we have to be on alert," North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said Thursday. The high winds come as fires are already raging across both states. In North Carolina, the Black Cove Complex Fire, located about 30 miles southeast of Asheville, is the highest priority fire in the United States, burning nearly 7,000 acres, according to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. As of Thursday, the Deep Woods Fire, located 5 miles northwest of Columbus, North Carolina, has burned 3,373 acres and is 30% contained, officials said. MORE: 3 major wildfires prompt evacuations in North Carolina's Polk County Several other fires continue to blaze in North Carolina, including the Alarka Fire in Swain County, which has burned 911 acres and is only 5% contained, and the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, which has torched 629 acres and is 5% contained, officials said. Additionally, the Freedom Farm Fire has burned 130 acres and is 60% contained, according to the Leicester Fire Department. A statewide ban on outdoor burning remains in effect in North Carolina, officials said. In South Carolina, the Table Rock Complex Fire -- located on the South-Carolina-North Carolina border -- spread significantly on Thursday, burning 8,769 acres with a perimeter of 34.8 miles, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Officials said weather conditions on Friday are a "concern for increased fire activity." As of Thursday, the Table Rock Complex Fire is zero percent contained, with more than 1,400 homes and businesses evacuated, the forestry commission said. Additionally, the Permission Ridge Fire, located in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, grew to 1,992 acres and is zero percent contained as of Thursday evening, the forestry commission said in a statement. On Friday, firefighters "hope to complete burnouts of existing unburned areas and focus on improving and holding existing firebreaks," the forestry commission said. An elevated fire risk is also in place for most of Georgia, Virginia and eastern Tennessee, officials said. There have not been any reported injuries from any of the wildfires. Rain will move in on Sunday and Monday, which could alleviate firefighters and help diminish the flames, officials said. Carolina wildfires: High winds, low humidity significantly increase threat originally appeared on
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
State of emergency declared as wildfires ravage the Carolinas, threaten hurricane recovery
Key Takeaways: •Black Cove Complex Fire: 3,046 Acres, 0% Contained, 7 homes destroyed.•Deep Woods Fire: 2,923 Acres, 0% Contained, 1 home destroyed.•Fish Hook Fire: 199 Acres, 72% Contained.•Dozens of mandatory evacuations in North and South Carolina.• for latest evacuations, emergency shelters and other crucial wildfire information. Strong winds and low humidity are causing several wildfires to spread through western North Carolina, risking more damage to some areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene. Six months after Helene ravaged parts of the state, the region is dealing with wildfires fueled by a large number of trees brought down by the storm. Officials are concerned the two largest fires could merge. The biggest fire, the Black Cove Complex Fire, is burning in timber on state-owned and private land, approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda in Polk County. It's the highest-priority fire right now in the Southern U.S. The fire has burned just over 3,000 acres and is 0% contained. At least seven homes have been destroyed, and many others structures are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for several neigbhorhoods. "Counties affected by these wildfires are under a State of Emergency, which allows emergency services the resources and flexibility they need to do their jobs," Gov. Josh Stein posted on X Wednesday morning. "Residents, please make sure you have emergency alerts on and pay attention to evacuation orders." Officials are worried the Black Cove Complex fire will combine with the Deep Woods Fire which is also burning a few miles from the small town of Saluda. The Deep Woods fire has scorched almost 3,000 acres and is also 0% contained. At least one home has been destroyed, and more than 100 houses have been evacuated amid mandatory orders. "These two fires could possibly converge this week," said NC Forest Service spokesman EJ Dwigans. "We have updated maps we're going to have at our community meeting tonight. Everyone is going to tell you we need more resources on this fire. The winds are extremely high, and that's what folks are dealing with in the field right now." How Hurricane Helene is contributing to the wildfires The fires have been difficult to contain due to timber downed by Hurricane Helene. The powerful storm, which swept through the region six months ago, left behind a trail of destruction that is now proving to be a major obstacle. "The terrain in this area is steep and rugged, which poses challenges on its own. Add storm debris and landslides to the already existing challenges terrain present and direct attack becomes substantially more difficult," the NC Forest Service said. "Firefighters start constructing a fire line and reach an impassable point at which line construction is relocated and started again." Earlier this month, the National Hurricane Center released a final report on Hurricane Helene, finding it claimed the lives of 248 people, including 106 in North Carolina. "In my career, 20-year career, this is the most fuel I've seen on the ground," North Carolina Forest Service spokesperson Jeremy Waldrop told WLOS, describing the large number of leaves and trees that fell during the hurricane. Weary residents can only watch and wait Just months after Helene, exhausted residents of North Carolina now find themselves battling a relentless wave of wildfires. Communities remain on edge, anticipating evacuation orders at any moment. "We live in a rural area, and so not everyone has internet here or even has great cell service," Polk County resident Melissa Holland told fire officials at a community meeting. "It's very spotty," she added, saying many residents rely on neighbors and word of mouth to hear about evacuation orders. A code red air quality alert was issued Wednesday for parts of Polk and Swain counties by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. A code red alert means that prolonged exposure to air may be unhealthy for anyone and everyone should limit outdoor activity. Those sensitive to air pollution, including children, older adults and people with asthma, should avoid going outdoors today. Wildfires also burning in South Carolina Dry air and gusty winds are also fanning the flames of several large wildfires burning in the mountainous areas of Greenville and Pickens County in South Carolina. "Extreme fire behavior on both incidents Tuesday prompted immediate mandatory evacuations in Greenville and Pickens counties and led to significant expansion of both fires' perimeters," the South Carolina Forestry Commission said Wednesday. The Table Rock Fire grew to 2,293 acres with 0% containment as of Tuesday evening, and the Persimmon Ridge Fire exploded to almost 1,000 acres with 0% containment. Four teenage hikers accidentally started the fire, according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, and due to the dry conditions, it quickly spread out of control. The fast-spreading fire has prompted the closure of Table Rock Park along with Caesars Head State Park and Jones Gap State Park. The Persimmon Ridge Fire, which has burned almost 1,000 acres, is also at 0% containment. The National Weather Service has issued another Red Flag Warning for parts of western North Carolina and the Upstate on Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. Gusty winds and very low relative humidity will create an increased fire danger, so burn bans are in effect across both North Carolina and South Carolina until further notice. The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state. Unfortunately, AccuWeather forecasters say there is no rain in the forecast for the Carolinas until Sunday into Monday, when rainfall from a storm will impact Eastern states.
