SOUTH CAROLINA (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday as firefighters battled over 175 wildfires across South Carolina, burning approximately 1,200 acres and threatening another 3,000 acres.
Dramatic videos circulating on social media captured the intensity of the fires, with an orange sky over Carolina Forest in the Myrtle Beach area and thick smoke and debris rising from a backyard fire in Red Hill.
According to officials, the wildfires have impacted several counties, including Horry, Spartanburg, Union, Oconee, and Pickens, affecting a total of 4,200 acres.
“This State of Emergency ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities, have the resources they need,” McMaster said in a statement. He also emphasized that the statewide burning ban will remain in effect, warning that violators will face criminal prosecution.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported that 410 personnel and at least 128 fire apparatuses are actively working to contain the fires. State resources, including planes for water drops, have been deployed in Horry County to support containment efforts.
Officials confirmed that no injuries or structural damage have been reported so far. Fire crews will remain on-site until the fires are fully contained.
