Over 175 wildfires scorch US state of South Carolina, burning 1,700 hectares and forcing evacuations

By Fatma Zehra Solmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Firefighters continue battling wildfires that erupted across the Southern US states of North and South Carolina over the weekend as dry, windy conditions fueled the flames.

South Carolina recorded over 175 wildfires during the weekend, burning some 17 square kilometers (6.5 square miles). A major fire near Carolina Forest spread across 647 hectares (1,600 acres) and was 30% contained by Sunday evening, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Later on Sunday, officials confirmed that all previously evacuated Carolina Forest residents were allowed to return home, CNN reported.

Evacuated residents from the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach were permitted to return Sunday afternoon but were urged to remain vigilant.

South Carolina Representative Tim McGinnis confirmed: “No one was injured or killed and no structures have been lost.”

Horry County Schools will operate on a regular schedule Monday based on reentry protocols with a number of Carolina Forest neighborhoods district officials announced.

“We recognize that many students, their families, and staff may still be affected by the wildfires. We are committed to being flexible and working with each individual on a case-by-case basis tomorrow,” spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said.

A statewide burn ban was issued Saturday as wildfires spread across South Carolina, many of which have since been contained, CNN reported.

On Sunday, state Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency to support wildfire response efforts, with over 175 fires burning across 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres), according to the state fire marshal.

The National Weather Service warned of continued fire threats, particularly near Wilmington, North Carolina, and Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina.

In western North Carolina, a brush fire near Tryon and Saluda was sparked by a fallen power line along US Highway 176 on Saturday, quickly spreading up a mountain and threatening multiple structures, according to Saluda Fire and Rescue.

By Sunday evening, the fire had burned over 200 hectares (500 acres) and was 30% contained, Polk County Emergency Management reported. Several fire departments were actively responding, county officials said.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission has banned all outdoor fires until further notice, warning that dry vegetation and low humidity make even small sparks a wildfire risk.