It's been four days since crews began fighting the Table Rock and Greenville County wildfires.
Overnight, neither fire grew in large numbers, and the South Carolina Forestry Commission incident command staff adjusted the acreage of each fire.
The Table Rock Fire is estimated to be 1,156 acres, and the Persimmon Ridge Fire is listed at 314.
The Pickens County Sheriff's Office reported that four teenage hikers had started the fire. The teenagers ignited the blaze out of negligence, and due to the dry conditions, it quickly spread out of control. Authorities are investigating the incident and assessing potential charges against the individuals involved.
On Saturday, a second fire started in the Persimmon Ridge area in northern Greenville County.
According to the Forestry Commission, neither fire is contained, and there's no estimated time for containment.
South Carolina's burn ban is still in effect until further notice.
Poor air quality in Upstate
According to the National Weather Service at GSP, the Upstate is currently under a Red Flag Warning until 9 p.m. Tuesday. This warning means that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Affected areas in the Upstate include Anderson, Pickens Mountains, Greenville Mountains, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Central Greenville, Southern Greenville, Northern Spartanburg, and Southern Spartanburg.
According to AccuWeather, the Upstate currently suffers from poor air quality. The fires have caused the air to become highly polluted and unhealthy for sensitive groups.
According to the National Weather Service, Monday's humidity was 43%, while Tuesday's was 23%.
Wildfires at Table Rock
Wildfires at Table Rock State Park increased overnight Monday due to low humidity and high winds, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
"Weather conditions are expected to change, which could help control the spread of the fire," Madeline Stewart, public information officer with the South Carolina Forestry Commission at the Table Rock complex, told the Greenville News.
On Monday, Stewart said the increased humidity and the rain helped to slow the fire's progress.
This change in conditions allowed crews to make significant progress in building control lines to contain the blaze.
As the weather shifts, there is hope these efforts will further limit the fire's spread.
"Today, we have sunny weather," Stewart said. "It's a windy day, and we expect the wind to pick up. As well as expecting the relative humidity to drop, which is a recipe for increased fire behavior, so we're watching out for that today."
All Table Rock State Park systems, White Oaks campground, Lake Oolenoy, and Lake Pinnacle are still closed until further notice.
Evacuations on Table Rock
"As of now, 500 homes are affected by voluntary evacuations," Stewart said.
Here is what you should know about when the fire is expected to be contained.
When are wildfires expected to be contained?
Stewart said there is no estimate of when the wildfire will be contained.
Crews are focusing on reinforcing existing containment lines and exploring potential areas for contingency lines to act as a fail-safe. This approach aims to prepare for any unexpected developments in fire behavior.
Stewart said fire crews are revisiting strategies from past wildfire experiences.
"We're going back to reopen fire breaks from the Pinnacle Mountain fire in 2016," she said.
This effort, combined with monitoring air quality levels, is part of their comprehensive plan to manage the current situation effectively.
Here is what you should know about the Table Rock Complex area evacuation orders.
Evacuation orders for the Table Rock Complex area
According to a press release from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, evacuation orders have been issued for nearby areas to ensure residents' safety.
The Table Rock Fire, which ignited Friday, is currently estimated to be over 1,100 acres and remains at zero containment.
Firefighters are focusing on strategic points to prevent further spread and are supported by aerial resources.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to follow evacuation orders and stay informed through local news updates.
Evacuation orders are voluntary for approximately 100 residences just east of the state park, according to a press release from the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
No further evacuations are necessary, but residents should stay informed by monitoring local news and social media for updates.
Fire officials continue to assess conditions to ensure public safety.
Here is what you should know about the Persimmon Ridge Fire.
Persimmon Ridge Fire: evacuations, what to know?
Firefighting crews began establishing firebreaks on the fire's eastern side, as the terrain presented fewer challenges.
Firefighters will focus on strengthening the eastern side and progressing on the rest of the perimeter.
Downed timber from Hurricane Helene impeded crews from establishing firebreaks on other sides of the fire. Chainsaw crews will clear the downed timber.
According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, evacuation orders for the Persimmon Ridge Fire are currently recommended for residents residing within the immediate vicinity of the fire zone.
The blaze began on Sunday, March 23, and has consumed over 800 acres, and fire crews are working to gain control.
Incident command staff called for voluntary evacuations northeast of the Persimmon Ridge Fire.
Residents and businesses along Oil Camp Creek Road eastward to River Falls Road are encouraged to evacuate due to westerly winds that could increase fire activity and push the flames eastward.
Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and prepared for any changes in evacuation status as conditions evolve.
Here is what you should know about evacuation orders east and south of the Persimmon Ridge Fire.
Persimmon Ridge Fire evacuation orders east and south
According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, no voluntary or otherwise evacuations are planned for residents east or south of the Persimmon Ridge Fire.
A public information campaign will be conducted on Tuesday in the areas highlighted on the map.
This includes Oil Camp Creek Road, east to River Falls Road, south to Hwy 276, and west back to Persimmon Ridge Road.
In a joint effort, Greenville County personnel will go door to door with public information about how to be prepared by creating a defensible space around their home.
Residents are urged to be "set" to leave their homes if an evacuation is suggested.
This proactive approach aims to enhance community readiness and ensure that all residents know the necessary steps to protect their homes and families.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at [email protected].