April 3, 2 p.m. final update:
In a final update of the Table Rock complex wildfires, the S.C. Forestry Commission reports both the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires are very nearly 100% contained.
The Table Rock fire has not expanded beyond the 13,845 acres consumed — 13,210 acres in South Carolina in northern Pickens County and 635 acres in North Carolina.
Related: Table Rock wildfire from a personal perspective: Field Notes with Dennis Chastain
Photo by Mac Stone/Naturaland Trust/S.C. Forestry Commission/The Nature ConservancyThe Persimmon Ridge fire has consumed 2,078 acres in northern Greenville County.
State burn bans in both Carolinas have been rescinded and all evacuation orders have been lifted.
SCFC warns motorists in the area to be aware firefighting crews will remain active and that motorists should slow down and move over if they encounter crews working in or near the roadway.
April 2, 10 a.m. update:
Both wildfires in the Table Rock complex have been largely contained thanks to recent rain and improving weather conditions, while three teens and a juvenile are facing charges in connection with starting the fires.
South Carolina Forestry Commission law enforcement officials announced April 1 that two 18-year-olds from Greenville and a 19-year-old from Taylors had been charged with negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another in connection with starting the Table Rock fire, which has become the largest wildfire in Upstate history.
A juvenile is facing similar charges related to the incident, which investigators believe was the result of improperly extinguished cigarettes March 21.
Authorities searching for a missing hiker that day discovered a rapidly growing wildfire, and after questioning several hikers evacuated from the area identified the four subjects who were subsequently charged.
While the Table Rock fire in Pickens County and the Persimmon Ridge fire in Greenville County have together become the most destructive wildfires in Upstate history, no injuries have been reported and no homes have been destroyed.
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April 1, 10 a.m. update:
More than an inch of rain in the past 36 hours have aided containment efforts with the Table Rock Complex wildfires in Pickens and Greenville counties.
Containment has been achieved along much of the southern edge of the Table Rock fire, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s morning briefing April 1. Efforts today will be focused on attacking the fire line directly in the North Carolina portion of the blaze to the north and along the edge at Raven Cliff near Caesars Head on the eastern edge of the fire.
Photo by Mac Stone/Naturaland Trust/S.C. Forestry Commission/The Nature ConservancyThe Persimmon Ridge fire is more than two-thirds contained but considerable heat remains within heavy fuels downed by Hurricane Helene on that fire’s southeastern edge. SCFC said much of today’s efforts will be focused on breaking up those fuels with an eye toward establishing containment lines.
The Table Rock fire has consumed about 14,000 acres in both Carolinas while the Persimmon Ridge fire has consumed about 2,100 acres.
Photo by Mac Stone/Naturaland Trust/S.C. Forestry Commission/The Nature Conservancy***
March 31, 10 a.m. update:
The Table Rock Complex wildfires have grown to about 13,000 combined acres consumed, the largest fire in recorded Upstate history according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
The fires have not grown in the past 24 hours and are partially contained, according to SCFC’s morning update on March 31.
Significant rain on March 30 allowed firefighters in the area to move resources and fire lines closer to the fire’s edge. Essentially, the rainfall has allowed personnel to fight the fire directly in some places rather than working to contain the spread.
The fires at Table Rock in Pickens County, which grew to roughly 11,000 acres, and Persimmon Ridge in Greenville County have burned for more than a week. Hundreds of firefighters – using trucks, water tenders and helicopters – have been tasked with containing the fire on the mountainous forests along South Carolina’s northern border.
The Upstate’s previous largest wildfire was the Pinnacle Mountain fire in 2016, which was just to the west and included portions of the area affected by the current fire.
Related: Table Rock wildfires point to longterm risk from Hurricane Helene debris
The affected state parks – Table Rock, Caesars Head, Jones Gap and Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area – remain closed to visitors.
Subsiding wind conditions and higher humidity have led to the lifting of the statewide burn ban in most counties. The ban will stay in place for Greenville, Pickens, Spartanburg, Oconee and Horry counties due to significant local firefighting resources being diverted to the wildfires.
