Emergency Declared in Carolina As Wildfire Rages, Evacuations Underway
Carolina is battling raging wildfires that have forced evacuations and triggered a state of emergency in South Carolina. Firefighters are struggling to contain multiple blazes, including a fast-moving fire in North Carolina’s Polk County and the growing Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, South Carolina.
Evacuations Ordered in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety issued a mandatory evacuation order at 8:20 p.m. Saturday for parts of Polk County, about 80 miles west of Charlotte. Officials warned residents to leave immediately, cautioning that “visibility in the area will be reduced, and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked. If you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed.”
Authorities have set up a shelter in Columbus, North Carolina, as the region faces multiple wildfires. The North Carolina Forest Service reported three active fires in Polk County, with the largest covering between 1,100 and 1,240 acres. Fires are also burning in Burke, Madison, and Stokes counties, heightening concerns.
South Carolina Declares State of Emergency
In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Saturday to combat the Table Rock Fire, which ignited Friday in the Blue Ridge Mountains. McMaster emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “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.”
The South Carolina Forestry Commission had already issued a statewide outdoor burning ban on Friday, and local officials called for voluntary evacuations near Table Rock Mountain. By Saturday night, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office reported that fire crews had halted operations but would resume Sunday with ground teams, helicopters, and air tankers. The fire has spread to 110 acres, and authorities are urging the public to avoid State Highway 11.
Region Still Recovering from Hurricane Helene
Western North Carolina is still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, which struck in September. The storm caused extensive damage, washing away over a mile of Interstate 40 leading to Tennessee and leaving thousands of roads, bridges, and culverts damaged or impassable.
With wildfires now spreading across the region, emergency responders are working tirelessly to prevent further destruction and ensure public safety.