Latest news with #PersimmonRidgeFire
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Table Rock Complex Fire nears complete containment
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Burning ban lifted for five remaining counties in SC
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – The South Carolina Forestry Commission's (SCFC) burning ban has been lifted in the last five counties, effectively cancelling the statewide burn ban. The ban was originally lifted for 41 SC counties on Monday, March 31, with the ban still kept in place in Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg county. Officials say that the ban is being lifted due to more favorable weather conditions, and significant progress from fire crews in containing the ongoing wildfires. As of Wednesday, April 2, the Table Rock Complex has burned around, 13,564 acres with 12,929 acres in South Carolina and 635 acres in North Carolina. Containment has reached up to 68%, with crews making significant leaps in progress following recent rain activity. The Persimmon Ridge Fire has been reported to reach approximately 2,078 acres, with containment at 74%. The lifting of the burn ban allows citizens to burn material outdoors. Authorities ask resident to follow proper procedures and notify others when conducting outdoor burning, as above-average fire danger and activity is expected to continue through the month of April. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
02-04-2025
- USA Today
Cigarettes ignited large Table Rock fire in South Carolina, officials say
Cigarettes ignited large Table Rock fire in South Carolina, officials say Show Caption Hide Caption Wildfires blaze across Carolinas, forcing mandatory evacuations Wildfires blazed across the Carolinas, forcing mandatory evacuations. The cause of the fires is unknown. Three South Carolina men and a teenager were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of starting the largest mountain wildfire in state history, the South Carolina Forest Commission said. The teens were smoking on a hiking trail at Table Rock State Park on March 21 and did not properly extinguish their cigarettes, sparking the inferno, according to the state agency. The Pickens County Sheriff's Office said Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, Isaac David Wilson, and Tristan William Tyler, both 18, and a minor, who was not identified, were charged with arson and negligently allowing a fire to spread. Data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission shows the Table Rock Fire has burned over 13,200 acres of land, making it the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina history. As of Tuesday, the wildfire was 30% contained. Recent rounds of heavy rainfall have helped firefighters battling the blaze by reducing fire activity at the burn site. The Table Rock Fire was one of several large wildfires that broke out across the Carolinas last month, straining firefighting resources as officials issued burn bans, evacuated neighborhoods and opened shelters. The downed trees and dry brush left over from Hurricane Helene fueled the blazes along with strong wind gusts and low humidity. Just east of the Table Rock Fire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire has burned over 2,000 acres of land and was 74% contained as of Tuesday, according to the forest commission, which said in an operational update that the fire "has ceased growth and will remain in its current footprint." The Table Rock Fire was discovered on March 21 while rescue crews searched for missing hiker Stephanie Womack. The search group evacuated seven hikers, including the teens, and questioned them about the origins of the fire. Marsh, Wilson and Tyler posted $7,500 bonds and were released. The juvenile was not booked and was released into his parent's custody. More: What to do after a wildfire? Here's what to do if your property is damaged
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Cigarettes caused South Carolina's Table Rock Fire, Forestry Commission says
Three South Carolina men and a juvenile were charged with a misdemeanor Tuesday after authorities said their failure to properly put out their cigarettes sparked the Table Rock Fire, which has burned more than 13,000 acres. Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, of Taylors, and Tristan Tyler and Isaac Wilson, both 18, of Greenville, were arrested Tuesday morning and charged with one count each of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. A juvenile whose name and age were not released was also charged but was not booked and was released to their parents, officials said. The Table Rock Fire was sparked by their handling of cigarettes while they were hiking in Table Rock State Park on March 21, the Forestry Commission said. Arrest warrant affidavits allege 'the suspects took part in smoking activities on a hiking trail at the state park and did not extinguish their cigarettes in a proper and safe manner, which officials allege led to the ignition of the Table Rock Fire,' the Forestry Commission said. The fire was 30% contained Tuesday. No injuries have been reported. Authorities were searching for a missing hiker on March 21 when Pickens County sheriff's deputies and state park personnel came upon the rapidly growing wildfire, officials said. They got seven hikers in all to safety and questioned them about how it started, the Forestry Commission said. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said on the evening of March 21 that investigators had identified the hikers who started the fire. Attempts to reach Marsh, Tyler and Wilson by phone Tuesday evening were not immediately successful. Online court records did not list attorneys for them. They were all released on personal recognizance bonds of $7,500 apiece, the Forestry Commission said. The charge of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another is a misdemeanor punishable with a minimum of five days in jail and a maximum of 30 days in jail if convicted or a fine of $25 to $200. The Table Rock Fire is burning mostly in South Carolina, but a part is in North Carolina. In South Carolina, 12,652 acres have burned, and 635 acres have burned in North Carolina, the Forestry Commission said in a daily update. Around 1½ inches of rain that fell on the fire complex has "significantly reducing fire activity," the commission said Tuesday. South Carolina is in its annual wildfire season, and the U.S. Drought Monitor largely classifies both it and North Carolina as either "abnormally dry" or in moderate drought. A second large fire in South Carolina, the Persimmon Ridge Fire, had ceased growth by Tuesday and was at 2,078 acres and 74% containment, the commission said. The danger of forest fires in South Carolina is typically highest from January through mid-April, the commission says on its website, because that's when most of the vegetation is either dead or dormant. This article was originally published on
NBC News
01-04-2025
- NBC News
Cigarettes caused South Carolina's Table Rock Fire, forestry commission says
Three South Carolina men and a juvenile were charged with a misdemeanor Tuesday after authorities said their failure to properly put out their cigarettes sparked the Table Rock Fire that has burned more than 13,000 acres. Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, of Taylors, and Tristan Tyler and Isaac Wilson, both 18 of Greenville, were arrested Tuesday morning and charged with one count each of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. A juvenile whose name and age was not released was also charged but was not booked and was released to their parents, officials said. The Table Rock Fire was sparked by their handling of cigarettes while hiking in Table Rock State Park on March 21, the forestry commission said. Arrest warrant affidavits allege 'the suspects took part in smoking activities on a hiking trail at the state park and did not extinguish their cigarettes in a proper and safe manner, which officials allege led to the ignition of the Table Rock Fire,' the forestry commission said. The fire was 30% contained Tuesday. There have been no injuries reported. Authorities were searching for a missing hiker on March 21 when Pickens County sheriff's deputies and state park personnel came upon the rapidly growing wildfire, officials said. They got seven hikers in all to safety and questioned them about how it started, the forestry commission said. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said on the evening of March 21 that investigators had identified the hikers who started the fire. Attempts to reach Marsh, Tyler or Wilson by phone Tuesday evening were not immediately successful. Online court records did not list attorneys for them. They were all released on a personal recognizance bond of $7,500 each, the forestry commission said. The charge of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another is a misdemeanor punishable with a minimum of five days in jail and a maximum of 30 days in jail if convicted, or a fine of between $25 and $200. The Table Rock Fire is burning mostly in South Carolina, but a portion is in North Carolina. In South Carolina, 12,652 acres have burned, and 635 acres have burned in North Carolina, the forestry commission said in a daily update. Around 1 1/2 inches of rain that fell on the fire complex has "significantly reducing fire activity," the commission said Tuesday. South Carolina is in its annual wildfire season, and both it and North Carolina are largely classified as either "abnormally dry" or in moderate drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor. A second large fire in South Carolina, the Persimmon Ridge Fire, had ceased growth by Tuesday and was at 2,078 acres and 74% contained, the commission said. The danger of forest fires in South Carolina is typically highest from January through mid-April, the commission says on its website, because that's when most of the vegetation is either dead or dormant.
