The Carolinas are battling a wildfire crisis just after recovering from a hurricane. At least 17 active fires are raging across North and South Carolina. The most severe blaze, in the Carolina Forest area near Myrtle Beach, has already scorched over 1,600 acres.
The fires are causing evacuations and triggering a state of emergency. Officials are scrambling to contain the fires as dry conditions, high winds, and warm temperatures fuel their spread.
More than 200 wildfires started burning across North Carolina. The fires cover around 2,100 acres. Many of these fires are small, but several remain active and uncontained.
The largest wildfire in the state, in Polk County, has burned more than 400 acres near the South Carolina border. Emergency responders have managed to contain about 30% of it, a notable improvement from the zero containment status reported the previous day.
The economic and environmental impact of these fires is growing. Several homes are facing devastation with their homes destroyed. Thousands more residents are also given notice to evacuate. The smoke pollution is affecting air quality across the region as well.
The tourism industry, especially in areas like Myrtle Beach, faces disruptions as visitors cancel travel plans due to the ongoing emergency. State and local agencies are diverting resources to firefighting efforts, and the costs of containing these fires could rise into the millions.
In South Carolina, 112 wildfires were reported. At least six are actively burning. The Myrtle Beach fire is one of the largest fires burning.
It started on Saturday due to dry conditions and strong winds. Authorities say a combination of factors, including a prolonged dry spell and unseasonably warm weather, contributed to the rapid spread.
Firefighters have used aircraft, including a Black Hawk helicopter, to drop water on the flames. On the ground, crews are working to dig containment lines to slow the fire’s progress.
Evacuation orders are in place for several neighborhoods in Carolina Forest, just 10 miles from Myrtle Beach. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to ensure resources were available for firefighting and recovery.
By Sunday, officials reported 30% containment of the fire, allowing some evacuees to return home. However, they warned that the situation remains unstable, with the potential for flare-ups.
The Polk County fire in North Carolina, the second-largest in the region, has burned between 400 and 500 acres. The North Carolina Forest Service and local emergency management teams reported differing figures, with estimates ranging from 400 to 481 acres.
Another significant fire in Harnett County, near Fayetteville, has burned over 175 acres. The fire is nearly fully contained.
As these fires continue to spread, authorities are urging residents to stay alert and prepared for potential evacuations. The combination of dry conditions and strong winds poses a high fire risk, making containment efforts challenging.
With temperatures remaining unseasonably warm, officials warn that the fire danger may persist in the coming days.
Could the worst be yet to come? With weather conditions playing a critical role in how these fires evolve, residents and emergency responders remain on edge, watching for any signs of the flames regaining strength.
