On Sunday, crews in North and South Carolina were engaged in a fierce battle against wildfires fueled by dry conditions and gusty winds. The National Weather Service issued warnings of heightened fire danger in the region due to critically dry fuels and very low relative humidity.
In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to bolster the wildfire response effort as over 175 fires scorched 6.6 square miles of land. A statewide burning ban was in effect to mitigate the risk.
One of the affected areas was the Carolina Forest region near Myrtle Beach, where residents were evacuated from several neighborhoods. Dramatic footage captured people fleeing as smoke engulfed the sky. By late Sunday afternoon, evacuees were given the green light to return home as fire crews managed to contain 30% of the 2.5 square mile blaze without any reported injuries or structural damage.
In North Carolina, fire crews were actively combating multiple wildfires across four forests. The largest fire, spanning about 400 acres, raged in Uwharrie National Forest, located 50 miles east of Charlotte. Progress was reported with containment reaching one-third by Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the town of Tryon in Polk County, North Carolina, faced a rapidly spreading fire prompting evacuations that remained in place on Sunday. Authorities planned to assess the situation on Monday following controlled burns aimed at halting the fire's advance. The fire had consumed approximately 500 acres with containment efforts ongoing through water drops and back-burning operations, causing significant smoke in the area.
As investigations continue, officials have yet to determine the causes behind these devastating wildfires that have gripped both states.
