Latest news with #RedFlagFireAlert
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Wildfires continue burning across North Carolina and South Carolina: See map
Wildfires continue burning across North Carolina and South Carolina: See map Show Caption Hide Caption Smoke billows from Polk County wildfire as evacuations ordered The massive smoke cloud from the Black Cove Fire in Polk County, North Carolina, was seen wafting skyward. Wildfires have returned to the Carolinas, prompting another state of emergency, according to officials. On Saturday, March 22, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued a state of emergency due to the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, around 119 miles southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina, according to a press release published by the governor's office. "As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property," McMaster said in a statement. "Given the elevated risk of wildfires throughout the state, the statewide burning ban will remain in effect until further notice. Anyone who violates this ban can and will go to jail." The fire ignited on Friday, March 21, according to the press release. As of Monday morning, the fire is about 1,300 acres, according to USA TODAY's data. The cause of the fire is unknown. Carolinas wildfire map Wildfires: State of emergency declared as wildfires rage out of control in the Carolinas Fires break out near areas affected by Hurrican Helene Areas affected by the devastating hurricane in 2024 are now being hit by the wildfires, according to the Guardian. The wildfires also forced mandatory evacuations over the weekend in both North and South Carolina, reported ABC 11 and The Guardian. How many wildfires are in North and South Carolina? As of Monday morning, South Carolina faces 29 wildfires that burn across nearly 3,310 acres, according to the South Carolina's Forestry Commission. In North Carolina, there are 144 fires that span across just over 3,570 acres, according to the North Carolina Forest Service wildfire map. Due to weather conditions, both states have placed a statewide ban on all outdoor burning, according to a media advisory. "In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal," wrote the North Carolina Forest Service in its media advisory. Campfires are also not exempt from the ban. "Forestry Commission officials say weather conditions over the next several days present a greatly elevated risk of wildfire," the advisory stated. "The high winds and gusts that prompted the agency to issue a Red Flag Fire Alert yesterday are expected to persist across the state through the weekend." US Wildfires map The Southeastern U.S., including North and South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, has a higher than average wildland fire potential throughout March, according to the National Weather Service. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
SC Forestry officials issue statewide outdoor burning ban
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued a statewide burning ban beginning at 6 p.m. Friday until further notice. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires, and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state. 'Forestry Commission officials say weather conditions over the next several days present a greatly elevated risk of wildfire,' officials said. 'The high winds and gusts that prompted the agency to issue a Red Flag Fire Alert yesterday are expected to persist across the state through the weekend.' The ban will be active until further notice. Georgetown County also issued an outdoor burning ban due to an elevated risk of wildfires over the next several days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Statewide burn ban issued for South Carolina amid elevated risk of wildfire
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A statewide burn ban has been issued for South Carolina starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The commission is issuing a State Forester's Burning Ban for all counties, a news release said. This specific 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. Officials say weather conditions over the next several days present a greatly elevated risk of wildfire. The high winds and gusts that prompted the Red Flag Fire Alert on Thursday are expected to continue across the state through the weekend. Extremely low relative humidity, reaching below 30% in most areas, also add to the fire danger, according to the news release. 'The combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity is a recipe for wildfires igniting easily and spreading rapidly,' Darryl Jones, SCFC fire chief said. 'Especially when you add to the mix the abundance of dry, late-winter fuels on the ground.' The ban will stay in effect until further notice. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Statewide Red Flag Fire Alert issued for South Carolina
SOUTH CAROLINA (WJBF) – The South Carolina Forestry Commission announced it has issued a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert on Thursday, effective immediately until further notice. Officials with the commission state the alert is being issued to 'to strongly discourage people from burning outdoors when weather conditions present an elevated risk of wildfire.' 'The combination of wind, low relative humidity and dry fuels is very favorable for wildfire ignitions, so we ask that people who don't have to burn to hold off until these conditions subside,' said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. 'The dramatic uptick in wildfires across the state over the last two months were in large part the result of exactly these typical springtime weather patterns.' The Red Flag Fire Alert itself does not prohibit outdoor burning when state and local regulations are followed, but the alert is meant to encourage residents to postpone any burning until it is lifted. According to the commission, wildfire occurrence in South Carolina is greater in the month of March compared to others out of the year. Conditions are expected to be reevaluated on Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Georgetown County implements outdoor burn ban due to increased wildfire risk
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Outdoor burning in Georgetown County is temporarily prohibited. The county implemented a local ban on outdoor burning, effectively immediately, due to an elevated risk for wildfires over the next several days. 'Elevated fire weather conditions will be present over the next several days and the threat of wildfires will be high due to conditions. The ban will remain in place until further notice,' said Georgetown County officials. The ban comes as the South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, discouraging people from burning outdoors. State forestry officials say the combination of gusty winds, low humidity, and dryness will increase the chance of wildfires. Firefighters responded to 280 wildfires in February and more than 270 wildfires so far in March. Georgetown County fire crews responded to multiple wildfires earlier this month, one of which prompted evacuations in the county's Prince George community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
