Wildfires rage in North and South Carolina

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Sunday as 102 wildfires continued to blaze across the state. As of Monday evening, the fires covered more than 4,200 acres across the state, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission. However, fire crews were able to contain some of the fires closest to residential areas. In Horry County, evacuees forced to leave over the weekend were able to return home late Sunday, local news reported. The largest wildfire still ongoing is in the Carolina Forest region near Myrtle Beach.

In North Carolina, more than 190 wildfires were burning on Monday evening, covering more than 2,200 acres, according to the state’s forest service. However, one of the largest fires, in Polk County, was more than 60% contained. Most evacuation orders had been lifted for towns near that fire, and the county planned to close its fire emergency shelter at 7 p.m.

The governor’s office cited dry and windy conditions for the fires.

What assistance did South Carolina receive after the emergency declaration? The South Carolina National Guard said it mobilized two Blackhawk helicopter teams as well as a Chinook helicopter, which assisted in fire suppression over the weekend, dropping nearly 60,000 gallons of water in over 18 flight hours.