SC Burn Ban Lifted

Statewide Burning Ban to be lifted for 41 SC counties on Monday

The Table Rock Complex Fire became the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina history.

According to data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, as of Saturday afternoon, the fires had grown to more than 12,000 acres, surpassing the November 2016 Pinnacle Mountain Fire, which peaked at 10,623 acres.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Table Rock Fire was 9% contained, while the Persimmon Ridge Fire was 24% contained.

10:35 p.m. -- Sunday night wildfire update

Table Rock Fire Size: 13,167 acres

Containment: 9%

Persimmon Ridge Fire Size: 2,078 acres

Containment: 24%

--$60,000 of economic impact from the park closures is estimated.

10:25 p.m. -- Highest priority wildfire in nation

Pickens County's social media page reports that the Table Rock Complex Fire is now considered the highest priority wildfire in the nation.

Statewide Burning Ban to be lifted Monday for 41 counties. Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg counties are to remain under the ban, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

The State Forester’s Burning Ban will be lifted for all but five South Carolina counties at 6 a.m. Monday, March 31.

Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties will remain under the burning ban until further notice.

The Forestry Commission is lifting the ban in the other 41 counties because the dangerous combination of low relative humidities and gusty winds that prompted the March 21 outdoor burning prohibition are expected to subside substantially statewide over the next week.

The ban is being placed in the remaining counties for several reasons. The sheer amount of Forestry Commission and fire department personnel/equipment dedicated to the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties, which includes two wildfires that have grown to a combined 13,000-plus acres, has the potential to strain the capacity of local response to new wildfire ignitions, according to the SCFC.

The ban in Horry County remains in place. At the same time, Forestry Commission resources continue focusing on mop-up and strengthening firebreaks around the Myrtle Beach-area Covington Drive Fire, which is now 85 percent contained.

“Burning bans are not intended to be extended, much less permanent, solutions to wildfires,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “Prescribed burns in particular are necessary tools for forestry and agriculture, but we can’t emphasize enough the importance of using fire prudently and respecting the weather.”

According to SCFC, underlying conditions still warrant extreme vigilance when burning outdoors. Above-average fire danger and activity are expected through April, which has historically seen the worst, most damaging, and costly wildfires in South Carolina. Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Citizens who may plan to conduct outdoor burning of residential yard debris or prescribed burns must still notify the Forestry Commission before doing so.

Notification procedures, as well as mandatory precautions for conducting burns, may be found on the SCFC website: https://www.scfc.gov/protection/fire-burning/

As the only state agency responsible for wildfire suppression in all unincorporated areas, the South Carolina Forestry Commission protects nearly 13 million acres from wildland fire. More than 500 county, municipal, and volunteer fire departments operate more than 1,100 fire stations in South Carolina. The Forestry Commission cooperates with these departments to prevent and control structural and wildland fires, employing highly trained firefighters and specialized equipment when fires burn into forested areas that are difficult to reach.

--Air operations are suspended due to poor visibility. They'll mobilize if there’s a break in clouds, but they likely won’t fly Sunday or Monday.

--707 water drops so far from National Guard helicopters

--850,000 gallons of water

--108 flight hours so far.

--Controlled burns have been successful in fire containment. Rain is expected to help.

Table Rock: 11,468 acres burned

9% contained

Persimmon Ridge: 2,078 acres burned

24% contained

South Carolina Forestry Commission Fire Information

803-906-9730 (8 a.m.-8 p.m.)

8:55 p.m. -- Mandatory evacuations remain in effect

Greenville County Emergency Management wrote on social media that mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of the Greenville County Fire Region.

"While some areas of Greenville County have received rain (Sunday), rainfall amounts have been variable and do not provide sufficient relief across the entire fire-affected region. Due to the ongoing threat and unpredictable nature of the fire, mandatory evacuations remain in effect for all affected areas. The safety and security of residents are our top priority, and these measures are necessary to ensure public safety.

"Please continue following evacuation orders and stay informed through official channels for updates."

8:45 p.m. -- Emotional support K9

The Pickens County Sheriff's Office wrote, "Since last Sunday, our PCSO emotional support K9, Wyatt the Weightlifter, has been a constant presence at the command post for our first responders.

"Many of them have commented that interacting with him is the highlight of their day as they deal with the separation from their own families and pets. It is an honor to have Wyatt as a part of our team and we are thankful that he can have a meaningful contribution during times like these."

7:35 p.m. -- How many wildfires are active in SC, NC? Here's what wildfire maps say

Hundreds of firefights from across the U.S. are battling the worst wildfires in the country taking place in Western North Carolina and South Carolina's Upstate.

As of Sunday morning, there were four active wildfires in North Carolina and three in South Carolina. Burn bans are still in effect across all of North Carolina and South Carolina, and fire risks persist.

7:30 p.m. -- What to do after a wildfire? Here's what to do if your property is damaged

As the Carolinas face some of the worst wildfires in the country, some residents are forced to leave their homes.

A hand full of houses have been destroyed and there has been one injury reported due to the wildfires in North Carolina. In Transylvania County, 750 homes are under mandatory evacuation, according to the Citizen Times. Officials are reassessing the evacuation orders Sunday, which could allow some to return home.

As of Sunday morning, there were seven active fires across the Carolinas. Three of them are in South Carolina while four are in North Carolina. Here are some tips for those returning to their homes after the Carolina wildfires.

7:28 p.m. -- Has South Carolina seen a worse fire than Table Rock Complex? Here's a look back

Yes, the Table Rock Complex Fire was declared the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina's history, surpassing the 2016 Pinnacle Mountain Fire, which was 10,623 acres. Table Rock has grown to more than 12,000 acres by Saturday.

As of Sunday afternoon, a 2,078-acre fire on 240 Persimmon Ridge Road in Greenville County was also 24% contained.

2:12 p.m. -- Sunday wildfire update

Higher humidity, patchy fog, lighter winds, and an 80% chance of rain improve firefighting conditions on the ground but not in the air.

-- Air operations are suspended due to poor visibility. They'll mobilize if there’s a break in clouds, but they likely won’t fly Sunday or Monday.

• 707 water drops so far from national guard helicopters

• 850,000 gallons of water

• 108 flight hours so far.

• Controlled burns have been successful in fire containment. Rain is expected to help.

Table Rock: 11,468 acres burned

9% contained

Persimmon Ridge: 2,078 acres burned

24% contained

South Carolina Forestry Commission Fire Information, 803-906-9730 (8 a.m.-8 p.m.)

1:40 p.m. -- Continued focus on containment lines

Shortly before 7 a.m., work crew leaders gathered for the morning briefing, according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.

Today, there will be a continued focus on containment lines.

These crews have worked tirelessly to create and clean up these lines, and as of now, they are holding well in our area.

"Our neighbors in Transylvania County need our prayers as well, as the fire continues to move slowly in that direction. Crews there are working just as hard to establish containment lines and monitor the fire." 

11:40 a.m. --South Carolina weather radar: Are any storms expected today?

There will be a high of 73, with the Air Quality Index showing moderate levels.

Rain is also forecasted for Monday, March 31.

11:40 a.m. -- What started the Table Rock Fire? Wildfire now measures over 11,000 acres, 9 percent containment

The Table Rock Complex Fire is officially the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina's history, igniting thousands of acres for over a week.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Table Rock Fire was 9% contained with over 11,000 acres, making its way into North Carolina's Transylvania County. The nearby Persimmon Ridge Wildfire is currently 2,078 acres with 24% containment.

The Pickens County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, is leading the ongoing investigation into how the Table Rock wildfire started.

Investigators detailed that the massive wildfire was the result of a “negligent act” by four teenage hikers on March 21.

Those involved in the incident have been identified. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said authorities are investigating the incident.

“I’ve had a lot of questions about the charges for those responsible for setting the fire,” Blankenship said on Friday, adding the charges will be made and announced at a later date. “Those are coming. But right now our focus is on the protection of life and property.”

11:35 a.m. -- See live cam of Table Rock wildfire in Carolinas

South Carolina Parks offers an active webcam of Table Rock State Park. As of Sunday morning, the live stream showed a hazy, gloomy view of the park.

To view the webcam, click here. Other options include:

11:35 a.m. -- Where are the active wildfires in North Carolina, South Carolina?

You can track the wildfires with this interactive fire map, which is updated hourly, shows where the fires are and has information about their size, origin and more.

11:35 a.m. -- Table Rock Wildfire in Carolinas: See livestreams of state park amid growing fires

Firefighters in upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina continue to fight massive wildfires into Sunday morning, including the Table Rock Complex fire.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Table Rock Fire was 9% contained, while the Persimmon Ridge Fire was 24% contained.

Want to get a live look at some of the fires? Here are some live streams that are publicly available to view.

9:47 a.m. Worst wildfires in country

The worst wildfires in the country are burning in Western North Carolina and the South Carolina Upstate on Sunday, March 30, 11 days after some of the fires started.

Hundreds of firefighters from across the country are battling the wildfires around the clock in WNC and the Upstate. Five hundred firefighting personnel have been battling the blazes in Polk County, where some residents have faced mandatory evacuations, as have residents in other counties such as Transylvania. Some homes have been destroyed. Only one injury has been reported.

The largest fire in the region is the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, South Carolina, which doubled in size Friday and crossed the state line into Transylvania County in North Carolina. In North Carolina, large wildfires are burning in Polk County, the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires; Swain County, the Alarka Fire; and Haywood County, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire, that has forced the closure of Shining Rock Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest.

Firefighters hope for significant rainfall to tamp down on the spreading fires. Sunday weather forecasts some rain for the areas impacted by the wildfires, but whether it will be enough to make a dent remains to be seen.

Burn bans are still in effect across all of North Carolina and South Carolina, and fire risks persist.

Evacuations updates for Greenville, Pickens counties

Greenville County Emergency Management:

As of Saturday, March 29, at 5 p.m., a mandatory evacuation is still in place for some residents of Greenville County.

South Carolina evacuation guidelines have been updated from mandatory to voluntary for Pickens County residents.

Residents of Greenville County north of the Greenville County-Pickens County line, west of Wildcat Falls on Highway 11/Highway 276, and east of the Table Rock Reservoir are still under mandatory evacuation.

Although the evacuations in this area are now voluntary, Greenville County Emergency Management and Pickens County Emergency Management urge residents who choose to return to their homes to do so with caution and avoid outside activities due to air quality alerts. Those with respiratory issues should use caution before re-entry.

For more fire information, call 803-906-9730 or email 2025.tablerockcomplex@firenet.gov.

Table Rock No. 1 priority in nation

The City of Greenville posted the following on Saturday night:

Table Rock Complex Fire declared No. 1 priority in the nation for wildfire resources based on a matrix that includes acres burned, evacuations, and critical needs.

Containment efforts by the numbers:

--Over 900 water drops by air

--761,990 gallons of water dispensed

--546 Firefighters

--30 Support Staff

• 87 Engines

--99 Brush Trucks

--18 Batalion Chiefs

--12 Tankers

Table Rock Fire Size: 10,904 acres

--Containment: 9%

Persimmon Ridge Fire Size: 2,078 acres

--Containment: 24%

There was a 30% chance for rain Saturday night and an 80% chance Sunday, March 30.

Mandatory evacuation still in place for some Greenville County residents

A mandatory evacuation is still in place for some residents of Greenville County, the South Carolina Forestry Commission posted on Facebook.

Residents of Greenville County north of the Greenville County-Pickens County line, west of Wildcat Falls on Highway 11/Highway 276 and east of the Table Rock Reservoir are still under mandatory evacuation, according to the post.

Evacuations in Pickens County now voluntary

Evacuations in Pickens County became voluntary at 5 p.m. Saturday, the county announced in a post on its Facebook page.

Mandatory evacuations have been lifted as the fire moves away from the area. Residents returning home are urged to stay alert in case conditions change.

SC Highway 11 fully reopened

South Carolina Highway 11 also fully reopened at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office will continue patrolling the affected area to ensure public safety, according to the post.

Polk County officials lift some evacuation orders

Polk County officials lifted some evacuation orders as crews battled the Black Cove Complex Fire.

Roadblocks remain on Holbert Cove Road, and residents who live in the areas where the orders have been lifted are asked to enter from the Interstate 26 side.

“This will help keep the area clear for emergency crews working to protect your community,” according to a Facebook post from officials. “You may be asked to show an ID with your home address at a checkpoint.”

Evacuation orders were lifted in the following areas:

• Who Drive

• Glen Echo Circle

• Echo Lane

• Cozy Cove Lane

• Scout Camp Road

• 2624 – 3700 Holbert Cove Road

• 3509 – 4523 Green River Cove Road

• Wilderness Cove Trail

All other evacuation orders remain in place.