Latest news with #TableRockComplexFire
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Table Rock Complex fire confirmed largest SC firefighter mobilization effort
PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones confirmed the Table Rock Complex Fire led to the largest South Carolina Firefighter Mobilization since the program's inception in 2000. It's a remarkable display of unity and service. Officials said about 1,000 firefighters from across the state were mobilized, along with close to 400 vehicles—including engines, brush trucks, UTVs, and additional federal support. Together, they tackled what has now become the largest wildfire in Upstate history. 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 South Carolina State Fire. Officials said it was impressive to watch so many resources come together to help others. 'To see that many resources come across to help others, it's been a pretty impressive thing to watch,' said Chad Beam, who's part of the Emergency Response Task Force with South Carolina 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why was burn ban lifted in 41 SC counties but not in the Upstate? Forestry Commission explains
The State Forester's Burning Ban for 41 South Carolina counties has been lifted as of 6 a.m. Monday, March 31. Only five counties remain under the ban, including Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg. Data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission shows the Table Rock Complex Fire has grown over 12,000 acres, making it the largest mountain wildfire in the state's history. The fire is also 30% contained, with the Persimmon Ridge Fire 64% contained. Residents may be wondering why the burn ban has been lifted in other counties as the wildfires continue to blaze. Here's what we know. A burning ban is an emergency measure where outdoor burning is legally prohibited. It is only declared when outdoor burning is considered a significant threat to public safety, according to the Forestry Commission. There are two types of burning bans under S.C. state law: ∎ State Forester's Burning Ban: Declared by the director of the Forestry Commission and prohibits starting any fire in or adjacent to "woodlands, brush lands, grasslands, ditch banks, or hedgerows" (SC Code 48-35-50). This includes all types of outdoor burning. ∎ Governor's Burn Ban: Less restrictive, making allowance of certain agricultural burning (SC Code 48-31-30). The Forestry Commission has decided to lift the burn ban in 41 counties because the "dangerous combination of low relative humidities and gusty winds that prompted the March 21 outdoor burning prohibition has improved and is expected to ease significantly across the state over the next week." In the media advisory, Fire Chief Darryl Jones also said "Burning bans are not intended to be extended, much less permanent, solutions to wildfires. Prescribed burns in particular are necessary tools for forestry and agriculture, but we can't emphasize enough the importance of using fire prudently and respecting the weather." Above average fire danger and activity is expected throughout April, when S.C. has historically experienced the most damaging and costly wildfires. Residents who burn outdoors and allow their fires to escape are warned they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The burn ban is being held in place in these five counties so the Forestry Commission and fire department personnel/equipment can remain dedicated to the Table Rock Complex fires in Greenville and Pickens counties, which have grown to a combined 13,000 acres. Horry County's ban remains in effect while Forestry Commission resources continue to focus their efforts on mop-up and strengthening firebreaks around the Myrtle Beach-Covington Drive Fire, which is 85% contained. Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg counties still under burn ban
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Has South Carolina seen a worse fire than Table Rock Complex? Here's a look back
The Table Rock Complex Fire continues to rage on in South Carolina with thousands of acres of land burned and just 9% containment as of Sunday afternoon. Yes, the Table Rock Complex Fire was declared the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina's history, surpassing the 2016 Pinnacle Mountain Fire, which was 10,623 acres. Table Rock has grown to more than 12,000 acres by Saturday. As of Sunday afternoon, an 2,078-acre fire in Greenville County was 24% contained. The fire on 240 Persimmon Ridge road in Greenville County was also 24% contained. Below are some of the other major fires in South Carolina's history: A series of wildfires swept through South Carolina February 16-17, according to South Carolina Fire Commission. Unconfirmed reports indicate 14 people died, many homes burned, and up to 3 million acres of forest land were scorched from South Carolina's Aiken County to North Carolina's Chatham County, and east to South Carolina's Marlboro County. This nine-day fire was likely started from a cigarette. It happened during an extremely hot, dry period with the temperature reaching 107 degrees on June 27 and remaining in triple digits for several days. By the time it was controlled 9 days later, 10,162 acres had burned. The fire broke out near Gaston and another near Edmund. It burned a total of 7,400 acres including 21 Boy Scouts cabins. It took 25 Forestry Commission firefighters, 225 volunteers, and an eventual shower of rain to control the Gaston Fire after a day and a half. Before Table Rock, Clear Pond was the largest forest fire ever recorded in South Carolina. It burned 30,000 acres in Horry County. The fire spanned 14 miles long. An unattended campfire started the burn on April 10. The Highway 31 fires was the state's worst wildland urban interface fires, according to the fire commission. More than 700 individuals from more than 20 different agencies responded. Over 19,000 acres were burned with 76 houses destroyed and another 97 damaged. There were no injuries or fatalities, but it caused $50 million in damages. Pinnacle was the longest and costliest wild fire at the time starting on Nov. 9, 2016. With an average of 200 personnel on scene each day, personnel from all over South Carolina and surrounding states and as far west as Oregon, California and Washington traveled to Pickens to fight the fire. While no lives or property was lost, by the time the fire was controlled on Dec. 16, 2016, the blaze had lit 10,623 acres. Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@ Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@ or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Table Rock Complex: How it compares to South Carolina's major wildfires
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Western NC wildfires live updates Sunday, March 30: See the latest from around the region
The worst wildfires in the country right now are burning in Western North Carolina and the South Carolina Upstate Sunday, March 30, 11 days after some of the fires started. Hundreds of firefighters from across the country are battling the wildfires around the clock in WNC and the Upstate. Five hundred firefighting personnel have been battling the blazes in Polk County, where some residents have faced mandatory evacuations, as have residents in other counties such as Transylvania. Some homes have been destroyed. Only one injury has been reported. The largest fire in the region is the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, South Carolina, which doubled in size Friday and crossed the state line into Transylvania County in North Carolina. In North Carolina, large wildfires are burning in Polk County, the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires; Swain County, the Alarka Fire; and Haywood County, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, that has forced the closure of Shining Rock Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest. Firefighters continue to hope for significant rainfall to tamp down on the spreading fires. Sunday weather forecasts some rain for the areas impacted by the wildfires, but whether it will be enough to make a dent remains to be seen. Burn bans are still in effect across all of North Carolina and South Carolina, and fire risks persist. The Asheville Citizen Times will bring you live updates on wildfire conditions throughout Saturday. You can track the wildfires with our interactive fire map, which is updated hourly, shows where the fires are and has information about their size, origin and more. For more information on the fires and for a picture of how conditions have been developing, take a look at our live coverage from Saturday, March 29, Friday, March 28, Thursday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 26. Two of the three fires threatening Transylvania County have grown, according to a Sunday morning update from officials. The Rattlesnake Branch Fire in Haywood County grew to an estimated 1,882 acres while the Persimmon Ridge Fire in South Carolina grew by less than 100 acres to 2,078. The largest of the three fires and the only one to have crossed into Transylvania County from South Carolina, the Table Rock Fire, decreased from about 12,000 acres to 11,468, according to a statement from county officials. 'Yesterday was a very productive day for firefighters working to contain the Table Rock Complex Fire in North Carolina,' the statement said. 'Burnout operations and fire lines seems to have been very successful in slowing and stopping the fire in critical areas.' Rain might be on firefighters' side. 'We are receiving small amounts of rain which is helping. However, residents need to remember that the burn band will remain in place,' the statement said. 'The amount of rain does not remove the danger burning can pose to our community.' Over 750 homes remain under a mandatory evacuation, but so far no homes have been damaged by the fires. Officials will reassess the evacuations orders Sunday and some homes may be removed from the order, the county said. A curfew will be in place from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday for the evacuation area, county officials said. Transylvania County Sheriff's Office deputies will patrol the evacuation area. Road closures include:• Blue Ridge Parkway from Route 215 to Asheville.• Route 276 closed from Cascade Lake Road to Highway 11.• East Fork Road is closed from the East Fork entrance of Connestee Falls to Glady Fork Road. Swain County's Alarka Fire swelled to 1,390 acres Saturday, but is now 18% contained, according to an update from officials. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. So far, one home and a camper were destroyed in the fire. Officials lifted all evacuation orders in the Alarka community. Those areas included:• Long Creek Lane• Unahala Creek• Alarka Highlands Rain remains a strong hope for the 164 people working the fire. 'Dry, windy conditions and rough, rocky terrain will make fire suppression efforts difficult until significant rain is received,' the Swain County Emergency Management said in a statement. The Fish Hook Fire is now 100% contained, according to a Saturday evening update from the North Carolina Forest Service. The fire, which was first reported March 20, burned 199 acres approximately 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring on private land near Lake Adger. Meanwhile, containment is increasing on the other Black Cove Complex fires. As of 7 p.m. Saturday, there were 493 personnel assigned to the Black Cove Complex with more resources set to arrive. Crews from across North Carolina and 14 other states are part of the effort. Black Cove Fire: The Black Cove Fire is 3,500 acres in size and 35% contained. Stay up to date with the location and size of fires with our North Carolina wildfire and smoke map. The map is interactive, is updated hourly and provides detailed information on each fire. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Western NC wildfires updates March 30: Where are the fires?
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Table Rock Complex fire officially crosses state lines
PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Officials said the Table Rock Complex Fire has now crossed the state line into North Carolina. The Table Rock Complex fire, made up of both the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge Fires, has become the largest wildfire the upstate has ever seen. 'One thing I was briefed on this morning, is we've had the largest chemical water drops in state history for this fire,' said Pamela Evette, the Lt. Governor for the State of South Carolina. On Saturday, state and local officials met to give an update on their ongoing containment efforts. Fire officials said they are continuing to strengthen containment lines to the east and west of the fire while conducting burn out operations. 'Our guys and ladies are working extremely hard out there. It's very difficult working conditions. Anyone who has hiked around Table Rocks knows this is a very steep hilly country. It will wear you out on a normal day, much less when you're fighting fires, but the morale of our folks is incredible,' said Scott Phillips with South Carolina Forestry Commission. Officials said that this year's fire season has been unprecedented because of another natural disaster. 'This is not an easy task, as we have a lot of fuel on the ground from Hurricane Helene which has posed extra challenges that they didn't have to fight before,' Evette said. Evette added the blaze is also a high priority for the federal government saying that 'right now Table Rock is the number one fire in the country, that's why you are seeing such an increase in federal resources, because we moved up to the number one fire.' A statewide burn ban is still in effect in South Carolina. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
