Live Weather Updates: Wildfires Rage in Carolinas
The Red Flag warning and state of emergency in South Carolina underscore the critical fire risk, with dry conditions and gusty winds fueling the spread of wildfires, and residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety, as the situation continues to unfold.
A Red Flag warning is in effect for Berkeley, Colleton, and Dorchester Counties until 8pm Saturday evening due to high fire risk, with low humidity, dry fuels, and gusty winds making fires spread quickly, prompting evacuations and a state of emergency in South Carolina.
The warning comes as a massive wildfire in Carolina Forest, Horry County, South Carolina, has been largely contained after burning over 1,200 acres on Saturday and Sunday, with residents in several neighborhoods evacuated, including Blackberry Lane, Harvest Drive, and Indigo Bay, among others.
As of 4:30 pm on Sunday, displaced residents were allowed to return home, but will encounter law enforcement checkpoints and are advised to remain weather-aware for possible rekindling of hotspots, with the American Red Cross setting up a shelter at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center, offering assistance and discounted hotel rates for those in need.
The situation remains volatile, with fire dangers expected to decrease as winds slow and humidity increases, but residents are cautioned to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders, as the state of emergency declared by South Carolina highlights the severity of the situation, with wildfires in the Carolinas continuing to pose a significant threat to communities and the environment.
