Wildfires Burn 6,000 Acres in Carolinas, Prompt Evacuations and Emergency Declarations

Dry conditions and debris from Hurricane Helene fuel fires across North and South Carolina, endangering lives, property, and air quality.

Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for parts of Polk County, North Carolina, where three wildfires have burned thousands of acres.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, which has grown to 110 acres.
Containment efforts face challenges from steep terrain, dry conditions, and debris left by Hurricane Helene, which struck the region in September 2024.
Air quality alerts, including a 'Code Red' for Polk County, warn residents of health risks from smoke exposure.
Emergency shelters have been established, and burn bans are in place across both states to mitigate further wildfire risks.