PICKENS CO. S.C. —  A wildfire at South Carolina’s Table Rock State Park has spread to 300 acres and is expected to grow, according to the S.C. Forestry Commission.

According to Pickens Co. Sheriff Tommy Blankenship, the blaze began Friday evening after several hikers started a fire in the area. Their charges are reportedly pending at this time.  

On Saturday, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency to support ongoing response efforts.

“As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property,” said McMaster. “Given the elevated risk of wildfires throughout the state, the statewide burning ban will remain in effect until further notice. Anyone who violates this ban can and will go to jail.”

Nearly 100 personnel from multiple state and local agencies are working to contain the fire:  

  • South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC)
  • S.C. State Fire
  • The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
  • Greenville Water
  • USDA Forest Service
  • S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR)
  • S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
  • Pickens Co. EMD
  • Local fire departments

Crews are limited in their ability to use heavy response equipment due to the steep terrain of Table Rock Mountain, and dry, fallen timber left from Hurricane Helene is reportedly fueling the blaze.

Firefighters plan to intentionally set fire to unburned debris in what’s referred to as a “burnout operation”.

According to the United States Forest Service, a burnout operation involves intentionally setting fire to unburned debris to reduce the fire’s intensity.

“This backfiring operation, undertaken to eliminate the fuel between the evacuated residential areas and the active wildfire, will encompass the eastern side of Table Rock,” SCFS officials wrote in a press release. The planned burnout of several thousand acres will put a great deal of additional smoke in the air in northern Pickens County.”

In a social media post, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office highlighted needed items as crews continue battling the wildfire:

  • Bottled water
  • Snacks
  • Fresh fruit
  • Socks
  • Chapstick
  • Eye drops
  • Bandannas
  • Sinus wash solution
  • Safety glasses
  • Baby wipes
  • Batteries of all sizes

All donations can be dropped off at the Holly Spring Fire Department at 2239 Moorefield Memorial Highway, Pickens, SC.

Table Rock State Park and all its trails are closed until further notice, as are all trails at Caesars Head and Jones Gap State Parks.

A statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice.