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By Joe Edwards
Reporter
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Multiple fires across North and South Carolina were still burning on Tuesday after more than 170 erupted across the two states over the weekend.
Emergency personnel are working to contain the blazes.
Why It Matters
On Sunday, over 175 fires were active in South Carolina, leading Governor Henry McMaster to issue a state of emergency.
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While many of the fires have now been fully contained, several are still ongoing. Hundreds of acres have been scorched in the Blue Ridge Mountains, prompting evacuations for residents.
What to Know
Some 10 fires were classified as active on a map from the North Carolina Forest Service as of Tuesday morning.
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In Polk County, a 593-acre fire was 63 percent contained as of 10:13 p.m. on Monday, the map showed.
A five-acre fire in Gaston County was zero percent contained, as of approximately the same time.
In Bladen County, a three-acre fire was also zero percent contained as of 10:20 p.m.
The map also showed two fires burning in close proximity to each other in Robeson County.
In South Carolina, the majority of the fires had been controlled or contained. There was one fire still burning in Horry County to the northwest of Myrtle Beach.
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This fire, which according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission was approximately 2,059 acres in size, had been 30 percent contained as of 3:25 a.m.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek: "The risk for wildfire activity remains nonzero, as very windy conditions will precede the arrival of rainfall. The line of rain and thunderstorms will pass across the Carolinas during the day on Wednesday which can significantly reduce the risk for fires after it passes through.
"Following the rain, Thursday and Friday are expected to feature dry conditions, then additional rain is expected this weekend across the area."
A special weather statement from the National Weather Service (NWS) said: "The combination of dry fuels, increasing afternoon SE winds and limited rainfall during the past couple weeks, will lead to continued dangerous and adverse fire behavior today across Southeast NC and Northeast SC.
"The South Carolina Forestry Commission will continue the SC state-wide burn ban until further notice. Please heed this burn ban and any local fire ordinances in order to mitigate any additional wildfires.
"Across NC, people are urged to avoid outdoor burning. If you must burn, use extreme caution since fires can grow quickly and become difficult to control in these conditions. Ensure fire suppression equipment is readily available."
North Carolina Emergency Management said on X, Monday: "We will continue with high fire danger through tomorrow. Low relative humidity will allow the threat for wildfires to continue across much of NC into Tuesday before humidity increases in association with a cold front. As winds increase Tues, any ongoing fires could spread quickly."
What Happens Next
The special weather statement from the NWS said that the increased fire danger for the area would continue through Tuesday.
Update 3/4/2025, 12:58 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Brandon Buckingham.
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