Latest news with #TommyBlankenship
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Massive South Carolina wildfire jumps border, spreads into North Carolina
A massive wildfire burning for more than a week in South Carolina jumped the border Saturday and was spreading Sunday into North Carolina, where firefighters were already battling multiple blazes, officials said. The Table Rock Fire, which started on March 21 in the Table Rock State Park in Pickens County, South Carolina, had burned 11,468 acres total as of Sunday morning in both South Carolina and North Carolina, charring more than 500 acres overnight, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The Table Rock Fire is now the highest-priority fire in the United States as fire crews responded from multiple states to help battle the blaze, which prompted the evacuations of more than 1,400 homes and businesses on Thursday. As the fire spread across the border into North Carolina, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said firefighters had upped containment of the fire from 0% on Saturday to 9% by Sunday morning. Derrick Moore, operations section chief with the South Carolina Forestry Commission's Southern Area Blue Team, said fire crews are hoping that rain forecast for the area later Sunday and into Monday will help firefighters extinguish the flames. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said last week that investigators suspect the Table Rock Fire was started by four teenagers. He alleged that the negligent behavior of the teens caused the fire but declined to elaborate. 'They will be held accountable for their actions. I can promise you that," Blankenship said in a video posted to social media. Another fire, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, spread Saturday from South Carolina's Pickens County into western North Carolina's Transylvania County, according to an update Sunday from Transylvania County officials. The Rattlesnake Branch Fire in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest in Haywood County was burning close to the Transylvania County line but had not breached it, according to Transylvania County officials. The fire had burned nearly 1,900 acres and was 20% contained, according to the Sunday update. MORE: Video Thousands of acres scorched in Carolinas wildfires A third fire threatening to spread into Transylvania County is the Persimmon Ridge fire, which is burning in South Carolina near the Table Rock Fire and had grown to more than 2,000 acres as of Sunday afternoon. That fire also was threatening to jump the border into North Carolina, Transylvania County officials said. Meanwhile, in Polk County, North Carolina, three wildfires continue to burn but authorities said firefighters who have been battling the blazes for days had made significant progress. The Black Cove Complex Fire – comprised of three wildland blazes: the Black Cove Fire, the Deep Woods Fire and the Fish Hook Fire – had reached a combined 7,670 acres as of Sunday, according to Polk County officials. MORE: 3 major wildfires prompt evacuations in North Carolina's Polk County The Black Cove fire, which was started March 19 by a downed powerline, was 35% contained after burning 3,501 acres, officials said. The Deep Woods fire, which also started on March 19, has burned 3,970 acres, authorities said Sunday. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Fish Hook Fire, which started March 20 by a downed powerline, was 100% contained on Sunday after burning 199 acres, according to officials. Massive South Carolina wildfire jumps border, spreads into North Carolina originally appeared on
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Three people and a dog rescued from Table Rock Fire, SC emergency management says
Three people have been rescued from the Table Rock Fire as well as a brindle dog found wandering on Table Rock Mountain, the Greenville County Emergency Operations Center reported Friday. Officials said the people, a family of three, were rescued while evacuations were under way. Two of the individuals were wheelchair bound and needed additional assistance to evacuate. The dog was found by Pickens County sheriff's deputies and was taken to Greenville County Animal Care, the department said in a Facebook message. Deputies named her Ember. 'Frightened and unsure, Ember's luck changed the moment she met her heroes,' Greenville County Animal Care said on Facebook. 'They offered her food (she's not a fan of green beans, but absolutely LOVES mac-n-cheese, according to the Emergency Operations Command Center staff!) and showered her with love until our animal control officers arrived to bring her to safety.' The agency said she is decompressing and charming everyone. If her family does not claim her she will be up for adoption soon. Greenville County Emergency Operations reported 148 people had chosen to shelter in place and 122 have been evacuated, 22 of them are staying at the designated shelter Marietta First Baptist Church. No structures have been damaged, fire officials said. In all 1,386 structures are within the evacuated area, 856 in Greenville County and 530 in Pickens County. Officials are accepting donations to support responders at 6711 State Park Road in Travelers Rest. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said in a video posted to social media that so far people in the community have provided all meals for responders. He also said charges are pending against the hikers alleged to have started the wildfire. There have also been some road closures — Geer Highway from Echo Drive Extension to SC Highway 11 and Camp Creek Road between Cox Mill Road and Lindsey Bridge Road. Mark Keel, chief of the State Law Enforcement Division, said Friday his agents are working to keep spectators away from the fire and to protect vacant houses and buildings.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
What started the Table Rock Fire? Wildfire now measures 4,556 acres, 0 percent containment
Four teenagers are accused of starting the Table Rock State Park fire on March 21 through negligent behavior. According to the latest infrared data from a surveillance flight, the wildfire measures 4,556 acres, nearly doubling its reach on Wednesday. The Table Rock Fire remains at 0% containment, and while no injuries have been reported, evacuation orders have been issued for affected areas. The Pickens County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, is leading the ongoing investigation into the Table Rock wildfire. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said authorities are investigating the incident. Officials have identified the suspects and are assessing potential charges against the individuals involved. A detailed description of the charges will be released later. The severity of the charges will ultimately depend on the extent of damage caused by the wildfire. According to a press release for the South Carolina Forestry Commission, deputies initially discovered the blaze while searching for missing hiker Stephanie Womacks. The search for Womacks has been called off since the Table Rock wildfire was ignited on Friday, March 21. A burn ban is in place due to the heightened risk of fire spreading in dry conditions, according to SCFC. In South Carolina, there are two types of burning bans: a State Forestry Burning Ban, declared by the Forestry Commission director, and a Governor's Burning Ban, proclaimed by the governor upon recommendation by the state forester. Following the State Forester's recommendation, SC Gov. Henry McMaster declared a governor's burning ban during the Table Rock wildfire. McMaster urged everyone to use common sense and understand that starting a fire can and will result in jail time. According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, violating such a ban can result in severe penalties. Violating either a State Forester's Ban or a Governor's Ban carries a fine of up to $200 for the first offense. The fine increases to at least $500 for second and subsequent offenses. Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What started the Table Rock State Park fire? More than 4,556 acres burn
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
LIST: Wildfires burning in Upstate South Carolina, western North Carolina
(WSPA) — Wildfires are burning in the Upstate and western North Carolina, 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 4,556 acres and is 0% contained. Strong winds led to the wildfire breaching firefighters' containment lines on the southern front of the fire on Wednesday. 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. Pickens County officials said people living on the following roads should evacuate: Ashtabula Road, Asia Li Lane, Audies Camp Road, Back Park Road, Bethany Cove Drive, Bethel Terrace, Between the Lakes Road, Bird Song Trail, Blue Mountain Way, Bluff Ridge Road, Bobcat Drive, Bridle Drive, Burgess Gap Road, Busted Rock Road, Caesars Head Highway, Chaney Hill Road, Cherry Blossom Lane, Chief Outacite Lane, Cisson Ridge Road, Cold Mountain View, Compass Rose Road, Cougar Trail, Country Creek Drive, Cripple Creek Road, Crystal Creek Court, Cunne Shote Roads, Curts Way, Dogwood Mountain Road, Dry Lake Road, Duckwood Lane, Elizabeth Drive, Epworth Hill Circle, Fish Hawk Road, Gaines Lodge Road, Gnome Hill Lane, Green Acres Drive, Gum Gap Access Trail, Gum Gap Trail, Happy Acres Road, Hardin Road, Hardwood Lane, Hatchery Lane, Hemlock Lane, Hummingbird Terrace, Hunters Drive, Highway 11, Jane's lane, Kalijah Lane, Lakeside Shelter Road, Ledge Road, Lifeguard Lane, Locust Ridge, Lodge View Road, Lynne Way, Mary Fraser Way, Misty Mountain Way, Mohawk Drive, Mulligan Ford Hill Road, Old Chimney Lane, Pinnacle Pavilion Road, Prayer Mountain Road, Pumpkin Lane, Pumpkin Mountain Road, Rainfall Court, Raven Cliff Road, Raven Court, Rescue Access Road, Ridge Springs Road, River Bluff Road, River Road, Rockcrest Road, Rockcrest Ridge, Rockview Court, Rocky Road, S Saluda Road, Saluda Hill Road, Saluda Shore Drive, Scenic Circle, Shepherd Springs Drive, Shop Road, State Line Road, T R Campground Road, Trinity Trail, Turkey Mountain Road, Tuscarora Loop, Unnamed Road, Walker Creed Drive, Wayside Drive, Weaver Creek Trail, Wesley Meadow Lane, West Gate Road, White Oaks Lane, Wild Brook Drive, Winding Trail, Windward Court and Wotawok Trail. The state forestry commission said evacuees can call the Table Rock Public Information Line at (864) 467-3428 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The in Greenville County was first reported on Sunday night. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the fire has burned 1,553 acres and is 0% contained. Officials said that late afternoon reports indicate fire has grown in size from 1,553 acres, but officials did not specify by how much. The fire expanded its eastern, western and southern perimeters, jumping west of Highway 276 and south of Persimmon Ridge Road. The fire was caused by people in the area of Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, southeast of Caesars Head State Park. Details of 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. Greenville County Emergency Services issued mandatory, immediate evacuations for the following areas in the county: Asbury Drive, Bell Drive, Birchbend, Bowers Road, Boy Scout Road, Bridge View Court, Burgess Road, Caesars Head Drive, Caesars Head Highway, Caesars Point, Canyon Crest Trail, Chestnut Blf, Church of God Circle, Citivan Camp Road, Cliff Ridge Court, Cliff Ridge Drive, Club Terrace Drive, Columbine Way, Conifer Falls Road, Copperline Drive, Cross Road, Delphinium Court, Denford Cove, Duckworth Road, Durango Place, Echo Drive, Echo Drive Extension, Emerald Crest Lane, Foxglove Place, Geer Highway, Gintomo Road, Greylogs Trail, Hagood Road, Hemlock Trail, Howard Street, Hugh Smith Road, Highway 11, Indian Trail, Jack Ray Road, Jennings Mill Road, Jones Gap Road, La Plata Lane, Lakemont Road, larkspur Court, Larkspur Lane, Laurel Drive, Lawton Road, Lawton Road Extension, Look Off Drive, Matthews Creek Lane, Mountain Laurel, Mountain Laurel Drive, North Lake Drive, Nugget Ridge Lane, Oil Camp Creek Road, Old Springfield Road, Old U.S. 276, Pagosa Trail, Persimmon Ridge Road, Pinnacle Lake Road, Pinnacle Lake Road Extension, Pipe Line Lane, Point of View Lane, Punctatum Place, Ragsdale Road, Remickville Drive, Rhododendron, River Falls Road, River Rock Court, Rosemond Road, Saluda Hill Church Road, Sandia Lane, Sevenbark Lane, Sky Ranche Road, Sourwood Lane, Southside Drive, Spring Park Drive, Sunrise Drive, Table Rock Road, Table Rock Road Extension, Trails End, Treasure Trail, Trillium Way, Upper Oil Camp, Verbena Place, Wild Drive, Wildcat Road, Wind River Trail, Woodbine, Woods Pond Court and YMCA Camp Road. Residents evacuating from Pickens and Greenville counties can go to Marietta First Baptist Church at 2936 Geer Highway in Marietta. According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, 170 personnel from SCFC, SC State Fire, Greenville Emergency Management, Pickens County Emergency Management, SCDNR, SLED, USDA Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, Greenville Water and dozens of local fire departments helped work to tackle the fire on Wednesday. A statewide burning ban remains in effect for South Carolina, meaning all outside burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires are prohibited until further notice. Multiple wildfires started in Polk County last week. So far, the has burned 3,052 acres and is 17% 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 blaze has destroyed seven homes and significantly damaged one. Seven outbuildings were also destroyed in the fire. Officials said the fire remains active in the steeper parts of Green River Gorge. The burned 3,231 acres and is 11% 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. Officials said one home and three outbuildings have been destroyed. The is the smallest and most contained of the ongoing wildfires in the county. The fire has burned 199 acres, but is 86% contained. Three homes and one outbuilding have been destroyed. 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. Transylvania County Chairman Jason Chappell declared a state of emergency after both of the fires moved closer to the county on Tuesday. Mandated evacuations were announced Tuesday night, for residents in the Big Hill Community, Glady Fork Road, Lake Honda and the Happy Acres area. As of Wednesday night, 758 structures are being evacuated in the southern parts of the county. A curfew is in place from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. for residents living south of Highway 276 to the state line and south of Staton Road and the gravel part of Cascade Lake Road. Crews are going door-to-door to alert residents of the evacuations. Evacuees are asked to go to the county Parks and Recreation building at 1078 Ecusta Road in Brevard. 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 175 acres and is 0% contained. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire started on state land Wednesday afternoon near Cruso Road. Officials said the fire has crossed into the Pisgah National Forest. The Shining Rock Wilderness area is closed; visitors have been evacuated from the area. The wildfire is affecting travel on the Blue Ridge Parkway from mile marker 405 to mile marker 420. People have been asked to avoid the area; there are currently no active evacuations. 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 60-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 50 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 burned 15 acres near Hart Lankford Road. The fire was 100% contained, as of 5:57 p.m. Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
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.
