The Table Rock wildfires expanded significantly on Thursday, with the fire now estimated at 8,679 acres, primarily growing on the northern and western sides. The Persimmon Ridge Fire also saw modest expansion to 1,992 acres, mostly due to burnouts conducted by crews. Weather conditions on Thursday were milder, allowing for the strengthening of firebreaks on both fires.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster held a press conference to update the public on the state’s response to the Table Rock Complex fires. Crews are concerned about Saturday’s weather conditions, with increased fire activity expected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant for South Carolina to support firefighting efforts.
Evacuations continue for parts of Greenville and Pickens Counties, with more than 1,400 structures evacuated so far. No homes have been damaged, and no fatalities have been reported. The fires are a top resource priority in the southeast, allowing South Carolina crews to have additional resources available. The containment lines on the eastern side of the Table Rock Fire are holding well, and crews are focusing on strengthening these lines in the coming days.
