Table Rock Complex Fire Updates: Live Coverage

Officials and emergency responders are working tirelessly to contain the Table Rock Complex fires in the mountainous Upstate area of South Carolina. The fires, known as the Table Rock Fire and the Persimmon Ridge Fire, have been rapidly growing due to downed timber, high winds, and low humidity. The Table Rock fire, the larger of the two blazes, started last Friday and was allegedly caused by the negligent actions of teenage hikers. On the other hand, the Persimmon Ridge fire started last Saturday due to an escaped campfire.

As of the latest update, the two fires have consumed over 10,671 acres and remain uncontained. This situation is being handled by the South Carolina Forestry Commission, who are leading the response efforts. This incident is set to be the most significant fire in the Palmetto Upstate region in almost a decade.

Updates about the fires are being provided through a live feed, with the most recent information appearing first. The latest operational update from the South Carolina Forestry Commission has indicated the extent of the growth of both fires. The Table Rock Fire is estimated to be 8,679 acres, with most of the growth occurring on the northern and western sides. The Persimmon Ridge Fire has grown to 1,992 acres, mainly due to burnouts conducted by the crews.

Weather conditions remain a concern as relative humidity is expected to fall to 23%, and wind gusts could reach nearly 30 mph, potentially increasing fire activity. Firefighters are facing elevated fire danger levels, compounded by a statewide “Red Flag” burn ban. The US Forest Service has taken over command of the Table Rock Complex response team, led by Derrick Moore, to manage the operations to contain the fires.

Aircraft, including Large Air Tankers, have been deployed to drop fire retardant on the fires to help suppress the flames. Images and videos taken on-site by Andy Fancher document the ongoing efforts to battle the fires, providing a real-time account of the challenging conditions faced by firefighters.

The progress of the Table Rock Complex fires is being closely monitored and updated regularly to keep the public informed about the situation. The joint efforts of all responding agencies and personnel are crucial in managing and ultimately extinguishing these dangerous fires in the South Carolina Upstate region.