South Carolina declares state of emergency as wildfire intensifies
South Carolina’s Governor, Henry McMaster, declared a state of emergency on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, ordering some residents to evacuate.
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Firef!ghters are b@ttling more than 175 wildfires in North and South Carolina that erupted over the weekend due to gusty winds and dry conditions.
The Governor said, ”This state of emergency ensures that our first responders, working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities from these wildfires, have the resources they need,”
On Saturday, 1st of March 2025, the largest wildfire sparked in Carolina Forest, west of Myrtle Beach, sending locals running for their lives.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission estimated Sunday evening that the blaze had burned 2.5 square miles, with 30 percent contained. Some residents have since been allowed to return home.
North Carolina is experiencing at least five active fires as of Sunday, with the largest burning about 50 miles east of Charlotte.
”Unseasonably warm weather and low humidity have heightened fire risks. Careless debris burning remains the leading cause,” fire officials said in a statement.
Officials said there were more than 175 fires that broke out on Saturday, but firef!ghters were able to cut the number down to 163 as of Monday morning.
Russell Hubright, the South Carolina Forestry Commission Chief, described the flames as ‘very erratic.’
Blackhawk helicopters were flown in over South Carolina, dumping 600 gallons of water at a town over the fires.
Myrtle Beach, which is home to nearly 40,000 people, has not experienced any damages from the largest fire, but the blaze has burned more than 1,600 acres of land.
McMaster’s office said in a statement on Sunday that it expects a loss of 4,200 acres across the state due to the other fires ripping through Spartanburg, Union, Oconee, and Pickens counties.
Another fire broke out near Six Mile, located about 30 miles west of Greenville, where residents have been urged to evacuate. An official order has not yet been issued.
