Burn ban issued in SC National Forests as wildfire grows to 650 acres amid dry conditions
Fire crews in Oconee County have contained 25% of a 650-acre wildfire near Mountain Rest, South Carolina, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Jeff Davids wrote Friday in a statement.
The Mill Mountain Wildfire, which is burning along the Chattooga River, was detected on Nov. 4. Davids wrote in his statement that the cause of the wildfire is currently under investigation.
While a spokesperson could not be reached to confirm the number of personnel involved in fire suppression, an Nov. 8 update on the U.S. Forest Service Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests Facebook page reported four engines, two bulldozers and two helicopters were at the scene and additional resources had been requested.
In response to the fire, the U.S. Forest Service issued a burn ban Nov. 8 on the 629,000 acres that comprise Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. Visitors are prohibited from building any kind of fires, including grills, or using any kind of pyrotechnic device or fireworks. Currently, the ban is in place until Dec. 31, but could be lifted earlier if weather permits.
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Both the Burrells Ford campground area and Foothills Trail located in the forest area are closed to the public until further notice. Officials requested that residents avoid the area unless necessary while fire suppression crews work to contain it.
“Fire restrictions are necessary on our national forests to protect public health, valuable natural resources and surrounding communities,” Forest Supervisor JaSal Morris wrote in the statement regarding the burn ban. Morris added South Carolina has been facing dry and windy weather.
On Oct. 31, the South Carolina Forestry Commission warned residents that the weather could increase the risk of wildfires throughout the state, particularly in the northern counties.
To date, fire-related air quality in Oconee County and surrounding Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson counties is moderate, meaning residents can go about their daily activities unless they smell smoke or notice symptoms. At the time of publication, no air quality alerts have been issued in South Carolina.
Anderson-based medical group AnMed on Wednesday warned residents to be cautious about smoke inhalation as smoke from the Mill Mountain fire, as well as fires in North Carolina, makes its way through the Upstate.
AnMed also referenced fires near Hendersonville and Andrews, North Carolina.
On Wednesday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency due to wildfires in multiple locations. The state is also under a burn ban in 30 counties.
The Poplar Drive wildfire in Henderson County, North Carolina has burned 434 acres and is 30% contained, according to a statement from the North Carolina Forest Service Friday morning. Currently, 199 personnel are working to stop the fire.
More: Greenville County Council approves plan to minimize wildfire threats on Paris Mountain
The Collet Ridge fire in Cherokee County, North Carolina has reached 5,116 acres with 178 personnel currently working to suppress the fire. The fire is 5% contained.
Fire-related air quality in both Henderson and Cherokee counties has now reached unhealthy levels for sensitive groups which means it’s recommended that people with heart or lung disease, people who are pregnant, children and elderly residents avoid being outside for an extended amount of time.
According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, there have been 857 wildfires in 2023 and 5,940 acres have burned. In October, Greenville County Council also approved the Paris Mountain Wildfire mitigation plan to prevent unchecked fire damage on the mountain.
Sarah Swetlik covers climate change and environmental issues in South Carolina's Upstate for The Greenville News. Reach her at sswetlik@gannett.com or on X at @sarahgswetlik.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Mill Mountain SC wildfire 25 percent contained, grows to 650 acres
