Raging brush fires, fueled by dry and windy conditions, have swept through both North and South Carolina, compelling authorities to issue evacuation orders on Saturday. In North Carolina’s Polk County, a fire consuming at least 400 acres blazes uncontrollably, as confirmed by Jeremy Waldrop from the North Carolina Fire Service. Waldrop expressed concerns about the potential jeopardy to structures and announced that officials would evaluate any possible damage come Sunday morning.
Residents living along U.S. Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda in Polk County were urged to evacuate following a swiftly spreading fire, as warned in a Facebook post by the county. Multiple departments are actively engaged in containment efforts to address the escalating situation in the area. Tryon, with a population of around 1,500, and Saluda, with fewer than 1,000 residents, are positioned approximately 40 miles south of Asheville.
Meanwhile, in South Carolina, Horry County Fire Rescue orchestrated evacuations for residents residing in various neighborhoods within Carolina Forest, situated about 10 miles west of Myrtle Beach, in response to a wildfire outbreak. Details regarding the extent of the fire’s reach or any containment efforts were not immediately available.
Taking precautionary measures, Horry County Fire Rescue indicated vigilance in monitoring weather forecasts and preparing to adapt their emergency response strategies accordingly to safeguard lives and properties. Scheduled for Sunday morning, two planes and a Blackhawk helicopter would deploy water to combat the fire, as confirmed by South Carolina state Rep. Tim McGinnis. Additionally, tractors were en route to assist in establishing containment lines around the wildfire.
In light of over 100 reported ignitions on Saturday, the South Carolina Forestry Commission implemented a statewide burn ban across all counties. The expiration of a red flag warning, issued by the National Weather Service for western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina, signifies a reduction in the critical fire weather conditions that were either occurring or anticipated.
Amidst these unfolding events, investigations into the tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, as well as a heated meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, have captured public attention. Furthermore, the demolition of the iconic rollercoaster Kingda Ka at Six Flags has also made headlines.
