175 wildfires in North and South Carolina force some evacuations
Share and Follow

Firefighters across North and South Carolina battled more than 175 wildfires that erupted over the weekend in windy and dry conditions and forced residents to evacuate some neighborhoods.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday as more than 175 fires burned over 4,200 acres in the state.

The largest wildfire was reported in the Carolina Forest area, about 10 miles west of the coastal city of Myrtle Beach. That blaze scorched 1,600 acres and was 30% contained as of Sunday evening, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. 

Residents had been ordered to evacuate several neighborhoods near that wildfire, but by late Sunday afternoon, the evacuation order was lifted, Horry County Fire Rescue said.

Meanwhile, a brush fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 40 miles south of Asheville, is between 400 and 500 acres and is 0% contained, as of Sunday afternoon, according to the North Carolina Forest Service.

helicopter drops water

A helicopter drops water to help contain a fire in the Carolina Forest area west of the coastal resort city of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Sunday. (WMBF-TV via AP)

The Melrose Fire, burning in the Saluda and Tryon communities, was caused by a downed power line, according to Saluda Fire & Rescue. The fire rapidly spread up the mountain, threatening multiple structures and forcing some residents to evacuate. 

Fire officials have not said what caused any of the fires.

Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Supreme Court will hear appeal by maker of popular Roundup weedkiller to block thousands of lawsuits

Supreme Court to Review Roundup Weedkiller Case, Impacting Thousands of Lawsuits

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review an appeal from Bayer,…
Trump's pick for Iceland ambassador apologizes for joking about Arctic nation becoming 52nd state

Trump’s Iceland Ambassador Nominee Apologizes for Controversial 52nd State Joke

Former Representative Billy Long, who was selected by former President Donald Trump…
Hair growth treatments recall due to a lack of child-proof packaging

Urgent Recall: Hair Growth Treatments Pulled from Shelves Over Child Safety Concerns

WASHINGTON — A nationwide recall has been issued for certain hair growth…
Mexican drug cartel leader extradited to the US to face federal drug trafficking charges

Rocky Mountain States See Surge in Fentanyl and Meth Seizures as Mexican Cartels Intensify Trafficking Efforts

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) achieved unprecedented seizure records last year in…
Ohio dentist murders gun match a ‘big problem’ for surgeon ex: Defense attorney

Ohio Dentist Murder Case: Gun Evidence Poses Major Challenge for Surgeon Ex, Says Defense Attorney

A gun found on Michael McKee’s Illinois property has been preliminarily linked…
Ohio dentist slayings suspect indicted on more aggravated murder, burglary charges

Ohio Dentist Murder Case: Suspect Faces New Charges for Aggravated Murder and Burglary

A grand jury in Franklin County has formally charged Michael McKee with…
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider dies at 59

Former Nickelodeon Star Kianna Underwood Tragically Struck and Killed in New York

Tragedy struck in New York City on Friday morning when former Nickelodeon…
UNRWA officials lobby congressional staffers against Trump terrorist designation threat

UNRWA Urges Congress to Reconsider Trump’s Proposed Terrorist Label

EXCLUSIVE: In a recent development, officials from the United Nations Relief and…