Wildfires Trigger Evacuations in North and South Carolina as Emergency Crews Battle Blazes
In the United States, wildfires have become a serious problem again. This time, both North Carolina and South Carolina are facing large fires that have spread quickly, forcing people to leave their homes. Emergency workers are working day and night to stop the fires, but the situation is very tough because the areas were already damaged by Hurricane Helene just a few months ago.
Wildfires Force Evacuations in Polk County, North Carolina
In North Carolina, big fires broke out in Polk County, which is about 80 miles west of Charlotte. The fire became so big and dangerous that the government told people in some areas to leave their homes immediately. This is the second time in one month that people in Polk County had to run away from wildfires.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety warned people that smoke would make it hard to see, and roads could be blocked. If people did not leave, they might get stuck, hurt, or even killed. Three active fires were reported in Polk County, with two covering areas as big as 1.7 to 1.9 square miles. More fires were also burning in nearby Burke, Madison, and Stokes counties.
According to Polk County spokesperson Kellie Cannon, the fire is hard to fight because of strong winds, low humidity, steep land, and trees that fell during the recent hurricane. She said people in Polk County are strong and have faced many problems, including Hurricane Helene and another fire earlier this month.
Hurricane Helene’s Damage Made Things Worse
Polk County and the western parts of North Carolina are still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which hit the area six months ago.
The hurricane damaged around 5,000 miles of roads maintained by the state and about 7,000 private roads, bridges, and culverts. All this leftover storm damage is now making it even harder to control the wildfires.
State of Emergency in South Carolina
In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Saturday to fight a fast-growing fire in Pickens County. This fire, called the Table Rock Fire, started in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
By Sunday night, the fire had already spread to more than 1,300 acres. Some of that land was intentionally burned by firefighters to stop the fire from reaching homes.
The governor also announced a ban on outdoor burning to prevent more fires from starting. People living near Table Rock Mountain were asked to leave their homes voluntarily for their safety.
Another fire, called the Persimmon Ridge Fire, started in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. It had burned over 800 acres by Sunday night. Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said the fire began because a group of teenage hikers acted carelessly.
Tough Conditions for Firefighters
Fighting these fires is not easy. The land is steep, and there is a lot of dry wood and debris from Hurricane Helene. Brad Bramlett from the South Carolina Forestry Commission said that the fallen trees and broken branches make it much harder for firefighters to reach the fire and put it out. Some areas are so rough that firefighters have to walk in on foot.
Crews used helicopters and air tankers to help control the fires. Firefighting teams paused operations on Saturday night but resumed their efforts on Sunday morning with full support from the ground and air.
Both North and South Carolina are facing a tough situation with wildfires spreading rapidly. The leftover damage from Hurricane Helene has made things even harder for firefighters.
While emergency crews are doing their best to control the fires, people are being urged to follow evacuation orders and stay safe. These events remind us how important it is to prepare for natural disasters and take warnings seriously.