Wildfires force evacuations and emergency response in the Carolinas
Wildfires across North and South Carolina burned thousands of acres over the weekend, prompting evacuations and a state of emergency as officials battled flames fueled by dry, windy conditions.
Anumita Kaur and Ariana Eunjung Cha report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Sunday as more than 175 wildfires burned about 4,200 acres, mainly in the Pee Dee region.
- The largest fire, at 1,600 acres, threatened Carolina Forest near Myrtle Beach; over 400 firefighters were on scene.
- In North Carolina, fires in Polk County and four national forests consumed hundreds of acres, with emergency crews struggling to contain the spread.
Key quote:
“This state of emergency ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities from these wildfires, have the resources they need.”
— South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster
Why this matters:
Wildfires are increasingly common outside the western U.S., as changing weather patterns bring drier conditions and stronger winds to regions unaccustomed to large-scale blazes. The Carolinas fires add to a growing trend of destruction in the eastern U.S., where communities often lack the fire mitigation measures seen in the West. More frequent and intense wildfires threaten homes, infrastructure, and air quality, forcing emergency responses in areas previously considered low risk.
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