Wildfires across North and South Carolina prompt mandatory evacuations

Wildfires in North Carolina have prompted evacuations as firefighters battle separate fires in areas of the state still recovering from past disasters. A mandatory evacuation was issued for parts of Polk County, located about 80 miles west of Charlotte, due to wildfires that began late Saturday.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety warned that reduced visibility and blocked roads could trap residents. The authorities have also set up a shelter for evacuees in Columbus, NC.

North Carolina Forest Service reported three active wildfires in Polk County, with two large fires spanning between 1,100 and 1,240 acres. Additionally, fires were active in nearby Burke and Madison counties, and a third blaze was reported in Stokes County near the Virginia border.

Emergency Declared In South Carolina

Meanwhile, in South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency in response to the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County. The fire, which began Friday in the Blue Ridge Mountains, led local fire officials to issue voluntary evacuation orders around Table Rock Mountain, as reported by the Associated Press.

As the blaze spread, firefighting efforts were paused Saturday evening but resumed the next morning with both air and ground support. By then, the fire had burned around 110 acres, and authorities advised the public to avoid State Highway 11.

Both US states are grappling with ongoing wildfire threats in areas that were already heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2023. The hurricane caused significant damage, including the destruction of miles of roads in western North Carolina, which are still in the process of being repaired.