State of Emergency Declared as Wildfires Rage Across North and South Carolina
Wildfires continue to scorch parts of North and South Carolina, where dozens of blazes have erupted over the past several days, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency.
As of Tuesday morning (March 4), officials reported that around 180 wildfires were actively burning in North Carolina—a decrease from more than 200 the previous day. According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the fires have spread across nearly 3,200 acres, CBS News reports.
While some fires have been contained or controlled, others remain active and pose significant threats to surrounding communities.
In South Carolina, the largest wildfire is raging near Myrtle Beach in Horry County, where flames have already consumed more than 2,000 acres since the blaze erupted over the weekend. Despite the efforts of firefighters on the ground and aerial teams using planes and Black Hawk helicopters to douse the flames, the fire remains only 30% contained, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
In North Carolina, the most significant wildfire is in Polk County, near the South Carolina border. It has spread across nearly 600 acres but is currently 63% contained, per the North Carolina Forest Service.
Meanwhile, two additional fires in Richmond County and Columbus County, both near the state line, remain 0% contained, each scorching approximately 300 acres. Weather conditions, including dry spells and unseasonably warm temperatures, have fueled the fires' rapid spread.
Firefighters are working around the clock to combat the flames, using tractors to dig containment lines and deploying aerial water drops to slow their advance.
To help track and manage the wildfires, officials in both states have deployed interactive maps providing real-time updates on active incidents, reported blazes, and containment progress. Controlled fires are marked in gray, while still-burning but contained fires appear in brown.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely and urge residents in affected areas to stay vigilant and follow any new evacuation advisories.
