Wildfires Devastate Carolinas: Homes Destroyed, Thousands of Acres Burned

Wildfires continue to spread across the Carolinas, destroying homes and prompting evacuations as strong winds and dry conditions fuel the flames.

 

Charlotte, N.C. – Crews across North and South Carolina are battling raging wildfires that have consumed thousands of acres, forced evacuations, and destroyed homes as drought conditions, strong winds, and low humidity intensify the crisis.

 

The largest blaze in North Carolina, the Deep Woods Fire, has burned 2,545 acres in the Green River Gorge area since it started Wednesday and remains 0% contained, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Another fire in the same region, the Black Cove Fire, has scorched over 2,000 acres with no containment. Both fires have destroyed at least one home and multiple structures, officials confirmed.

 

The Fish Hook Fire near Lake Adger, however, has reached 50% containment at 199 acres, allowing some evacuees to return home.

 

The fires are being managed as a complex fire, with federal agencies deploying an elite Complex Incident Management Team, a designation reserved for the nation's largest wildfires. Firefighters from across the U.S., including teams from Oregon, South Carolina, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, South Dakota, and California, have joined the battle.

 

Federal assistance has been approved, with FEMA issuing a grant to aid North Carolina’s response. Meanwhile, a statewide ban on outdoor fires remains in effect as officials warn that high winds and dry conditions could cause further spread.

 

South Carolina Fires Intensify

In South Carolina, the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County has burned 1,300 acres with no containment, prompting Gov. Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency. Nearby, another wildfire near Persimmon Ridge in Greenville County has grown to over 800 acres, also without containment.

 

The South Carolina Forestry Commission has classified the two fires as the Table Rock Complex Fire, with evacuation recommendations in place for approximately 100 homes.

 

Six aircraft, including two Black Hawk helicopters, have been deployed for water drops as emergency teams rush to contain the flames.

 

Weather Conditions Worsen Fire Risk

A brief rainfall Monday provided only minimal relief before strong winds and dry air returned, evaporating any moisture and creating dangerous fire conditions through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

 

Officials warn that smoke may reduce visibility in the western Carolinas, with debris from Hurricane Helene providing additional fuel for the fires.

 

Firefighters continue constructing fire lines to contain the blazes, but hazardous conditions are expected to persist through Saturday.