PICKENS, S.C. —
Here you will find the latest updates on the Table Rock State Park fire in Pickens County, South Carolina:
Pickens County Officials say aerial and ground operations continue on top of Table Rock. A spot fire has started between Table Rock and the Stool. Additional ground crews will be taking over operations into the evening. Aerial operations will continue until sundown, and enhanced aerial operations will begin tomorrow morning. A fire break has been established at High Low Gap.
SCFC Pilot Lee Berry
White Oak campground bas been evacuated. At this time, there are no other evacuation orders for this area. However, the public is advised to remain prepared in case an evacuation becomes necessary.
Out of an abundance of caution, local fire officials are calling for voluntary evacuations of residents who live on eight roads in close proximity to Table Rock Mountain. Those roads are:
Officials are going door-to-door to make residents aware of the call for voluntary evacuations and also working to establish a nearby evacuation center yet to be determined. Residents on these roads are not in immediate danger, but are being notified of the possibility of the eventual spread of the Table Rock Fire to their vicinity.
SCFC Pilot Lee Berry
The Table Rock Fire, which ignited Friday, is estimated at 35-plus acres and continues to grow.
While more than 30 personnel from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, The Nature Conservancy, Greenville Water, the USDA Forest Service and local fire departments are working to contain the fire, the steep, mountainous terrain is making it difficult for firefighters to access the active fire and establish more effective firebreaks.
Four aircraft have been providing aviation support all day, including one SCFC airplane surveying the fire, two SCFC single-engine air tankers dropping water and one SLED helicopter using a Bambi bucket to drop water. Officials are hoping to add more air resources tomorrow as the situation evolves.
"Greenville Water is closely monitoring the ongoing wildfire originating at Table Rock Park, which has now spread onto the Greenville Water watershed property. Our highest priority remains the safety of the public, emergency personnel, and the protection of our critical source water areas."
"We strongly urge residents and travelers to stay clear of Highways 11 and 276 to ensure emergency responders have unobstructed access to affected areas. It is imperative that these routes remain open and safe for firefighting operations and emergency support services.We are actively collaborating with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies to support firefighting efforts and protect our watershed. Greenville Water has mobilized additional resources to assist emergency teams in managing and containing the fire."
Additionally, Greenville Water emphasizes the importance of complying with the current burn ban. Due to dry conditions, strong winds, and heightened wildfire risks, the burn ban is critical to preventing further spread of fires and protecting both the environment and community safety. "
On Friday March 21, 2025 at approximately 5:45pm, the Pickens County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received a call from Law Enforcement Officers who were searching for Stephanie Womacks, who went missing earlier this month, reporting a fire at Table Rock State Park. The location of the fire trapped the deputies and a number of hikers for a period of time. Fortunately, the presence of emergency personnel with the Sheriff’s Office and Table Rock State Park allowed them to account for and rescue everyone with no injuries.
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Personnel from Pickens County Emergency Services Fire Division, the SC Forestry Commission, Table Rock State Park and the Pickens County Sheriffs Office responded to the scene to begin fire suppression operations. Air operations were able to make a water drop and begin containing the fire while hand crews began accessing the fire. Crews remained on scene until 2am Saturday March 22.
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Currently, 40 personnel from Pickens County, the SC Forestry Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, Greenville Water System, SC State Fire and the Greenville County Emergency Response Team are on scene beginning day operations which will consist of continued water drops from Forestry Commission air tankers and a helicopter from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) as well as ground crew operations to construct fire breaks around the fire.
The fire is currently contained to the top of Table Rock and has burned approximately 10 acres. At this time, no evacuations are expected, however; people living in the area should remain vigilant and prepared should they become necessary. Updates will be provided throughout the day as the operations progress.
As a precaution and to allow for fire operations, all trail systems at Table Rock State Park are closed, and the public is asked to avoid the area around Table Rock. Residents may see an increase in smoky conditions in the area throughout the day.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Pickens County Sherriff's Office and the SC Forestry Commission Law Enforcement Division. Four teenagers have been questioned, and charges are pending.
Citizens are reminded that a statewide outdoor burning ban is in effect for the entire state until further notice.
The Pickens County Sheriff says two negligent hikers started a fire his deputies just barely escaped.
That wildfire is burning at Table Rock State Park in Pickens County, South Carolina.
According to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, deputies were searching for Stephanie Womacks when they were barely able to escape the flames.
Officials say two hikers are accused of starting the fire due to negligence.
Deputies say the hikers have been identified and charges will be announced at a later date.
Madeline Stewart with the South Carolina Forestry Commission said crews are working to gather information on the fire's acreage.
Stewart said she deployed two planes to fly over the area and dump water on the fire.
South Carolina State Parks said in a park advisory that all trails at Table Rock are closed until further notice.
Photo: WYFF News
Officials say the volunteer search for Womacks scheduled for Saturday has been canceled due to the fire.