Fire danger remains elevated as wildfires burn thousands of acres across the Carolinas

Governor Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency on Sunday to enhance wildfire response efforts across South Carolina. According to the state fire marshal, 175 wildfires burned more than 4,200 acres across the state. A statewide burn ban is in effect until further notice.

The largest fire grew to 1,600 acres in the Carolina Forest area, near Myrtle Beach in Horry County. That fire forced residents to evacuate Saturday, but crews made enough progress Sunday afternoon that residents were allowed to return to their homes. As of the latest update, that fire is now 30% contained.

Fires also broke out across North Carolina over the weekend. The 176 Fire in Polk County forced residents along Highway 176 near Tryon and Saluda to evacuate after the fire broke out Saturday. As of 8 p.m. Sunday, the Polk County fire marshal, says the fire has burned more than 500 acres, but it now 30% contained. Crews have been doing backburns to keep the  fire from spreading. A decision on lifting the evacuation order will be made Monday.

The Falls Dam fire, located 50 miles east of Charlotte in the Uwharrie National Forest near Troy in Montgomery County is 30% contained, according to the N.C. National Forest Service. The fire has burned approximately 410 acres in the Badin Lake Recreation Area after beginning Saturday afternoon.

Although no statewide burn bans are in effect for North Carolina, several counties have issued local open burn bans including: Alexander, Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Henderson, McDowell and Polk counties. An Air Quality Alert is in effect for Montgomery, Polk and Stanly counties Monday due to smoke from the ongoing wildfires.

Although it won’t be quite as breezy, the fire danger will remain elevated today due to the dry vegetation and low relative humidity levels. Relative humidity values will fall as low as 20-25% Monday afternoon. Burning is highly discouraged for all, including those not under a burn ban, as fires can spread quickly due to the ongoing dry condtions.