North Carolina Emergency Evacuations

In Polk County, North Carolina, wildfires have surged significantly, leading to mandatory evacuations being ordered by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. This directive was issued as emergency personnel battled various active fires in a region still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Authorities warned residents, stating, “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.” This evacuation order represents the second such measure taken in less than a month due to wildfires, compounding concerns as residents continue to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene which impacted the area six months prior.

The North Carolina Forest Service reported three active wildfires in Polk County, with the largest fires measuring approximately 1.7 to 1.9 square miles. Additional active fires are reported in Burke and Madison Counties, as well as Stokes County near the Virginia border. Kellie Cannon, a spokesperson for Polk County, highlighted the challenges posed by high winds, low humidity, and hazardous terrain congested with downed trees.

Despite these adversities, Cannon noted the community’s resilience in the face of repeated natural disasters.

South Carolina’s State of Emergency

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency due to a rising wildfire in Pickens County, named the Table Rock Fire. This fire, which ignited near Table Rock Mountain, has expanded to over 1,300 acres as of Sunday night. The declaration allows state resources to be mobilized swiftly to support firefighting efforts and protect local communities.

As part of this emergency response, a statewide outdoor burning ban has been put in place. Local officials have initiated voluntary evacuations for residents near the affected areas. A second significant fire, known as the Persimmon Ridge Fire, has also emerged, burning more than 800 acres.

Authorities have indicated that initial findings suggest the Table Rock Fire was initiated by the “negligent act” of a group of teenage hikers. The Pickens County Sheriff expressed the challenges posed by the steep terrain and the extensive storm debris left by Hurricane Helene, complicating firefighting operations further.