Multiple wildfires erupt in the Carolinas, force evacuations
The brush fire broke out in dry and windy conditions caused officials in North Carolina and South Carolina to order evacuation Saturday.
According to Jeremy Waldrop of the North Carolina Fire Department, a fire in Polk County, North Carolina burned at least 400 acres and was in zero containment. Waldrop said the building could be at risk and officials will assess any potential losses Sunday morning.
Polk County announces evacuation Facebook Posts Warnings are spreading rapidly and multiple departments are being contained for residents along U.S. Route 176 between Tryon and Saluda.
The population of Tryon is about 1,500, while Saluda is less than 1,000. These towns are about 40 miles south of Asheville.
In South Carolina, Holly County Fire Rescue Residents were evacuated from several communities in the Carolina Forest, 10 miles west of Myrtle Beach due to wildfires. There is no information on how many acres of fire burned or if there is any curb.
“Horry County is monitoring weather forecasts and is ready to adjust the development of course conditions in our life safety and property protection programs,” the Holly County Fire Rescue Group wrote in a social media post.
According to South Carolina Rep. Tim McGinnis, two planes and a Blackhawk helicopter poured water on the fire. Tractors are also helping dig lines around the fire to curb it.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide burn ban against all counties after more than 100 ignition incidents reported Saturday.
The National Weather Service’s red flag warnings Saturday night for western North Carolina and western South Carolina. Red flag warnings indicate that severe fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent.
