In North Carolina, a county has had to evacuate people because of three big wildfires raging through the area. The North Carolina Forest Service reported that these fires are mainly in Polk County. Because of this, the state’s public safety department started a mandatory evacuation at 8:20 PM on Saturday. They’ve set up shelters in Columbus for those who need a place to stay.
These wildfires come after several wildfires in California destroyed homes and caused loss of life. The two largest fires in North Carolina have burned between 1,100 to 1,240 acres, and a third fire is near the northern border with Virginia. Some previously active fires have been controlled, but authorities warn that if people don’t evacuate now, they might get stuck due to smoke and debris blocking the roads.
The department also stressed how important it is to leave right away, saying, “Visibility in the area will be low, and roads or evacuation routes may be blocked. If you don’t leave now, you could be trapped or hurt.” North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which caused flooding and destroyed many roads and bridges.
In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Saturday to help control a wildfire called the “Table Rock Fire” in Pickens County. This fire started a day earlier and has already burned around 110 acres. Officials are warning people to stay away from nearby Highway 11.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said that declaring a state of emergency helps them act quickly and gives firefighters the resources they need to keep people and properties safe. Fire officials in the area are asking people living near Table Rock Mountain to evacuate voluntarily as the fire spreads.
On Saturday, the sheriff’s office announced that firefighters paused their work and would continue on Sunday with extra ground crews, machines, helicopters, and air tankers to fight the fire.
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