North Carolina Forest Service
Several wildfires continued to burn across North and South Carolina on Tuesday, after hundreds of fires broke out over the weekend. The largest of the fires, the Carolina Forest fire, covered over 2,000 acres near the Myrtle Beach area and was 30% contained as of Tuesday morning. Many residents were forced to evacuate from their homes and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency.
In North Carolina, the largest fire is located in Polk County near the border with South Carolina. As of Tuesday morning, the fire covered just around 600 acres and was 63% contained. N.C. Forest Service Assistant Commissioner and State Forester Greg Hicks said in a press release that “careless behavior” often results in dangerous wildfire.
The National Weather Service issued a special warning on Monday, citing increased fire risk across the region. “In coordination with forestry officials a Fire Danger Statement remains in effect for North Carolina, South Carolina, and northeast Georgia.”