Pickens County, SC – A massive wildfire raging across Table Rock Mountain in South Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains has doubled in size each day over the past three days, scorching 17 square miles (44 square kilometers) alongside a nearby blaze on Persimmon Ridge. Despite the fire’s rapid spread, crews have successfully kept the flames at bay from homes and buildings, with no injuries reported as of March 29, 2025.
Firefighters have focused on a defensive strategy, digging firebreaks to redirect the Table Rock Mountain fire northward through undeveloped ridges near the North Carolina border. “Our priority is saving lives and property,” South Carolina Forester Scott Phillips said during a Friday news conference at Table Rock State Park. Over 550 water-dropping missions by airplanes and helicopters have targeted both the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires, located 8 miles (13 kilometers) apart, but containment remains elusive amid dry, windy conditions.
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“The dryness of the fuel, low humidity, and high winds make containment extremely difficult,” Phillips explained. The Table Rock fire, ignited a week ago, has surged since Tuesday, fueled by a drought and debris from Hurricane Helene, which felled millions of trees six months prior. These fallen trees not only provide kindling but also obstruct firefighting efforts—a challenge Phillips predicts will persist for years. “It’s changing how we tackle fires in these mountains,” he added.
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Across the border in North Carolina, eight mountain fires are burning, with the Black Cove and Deep Woods fires in Polk County—covering 10 square miles (26 square kilometers)—showing signs of stabilization. South Carolina, however, has faced an unusually intense wildfire season, with 373 blazes charring over 28 square miles (73 square kilometers) in March alone. “That’s orders of magnitude more than a typical month—or even some years,” Phillips noted. April, historically the peak wildfire month, looms with forecasts offering little relief.
A statewide outdoor burning ban, in place for over a week, carries strict penalties, as Gov. Henry McMaster warned: “Start a fire negligently, burn your neighbor’s house down—you owe them a house.” Hope flickers with weekend weather predictions of calmer winds overnight and rain Sunday into Monday, though the National Weather Service cautions it won’t be the soaking deluge firefighters crave. “We’re going to get it out,” McMaster vowed. “Pray for rain—we need the help.”
Key Points: South Carolina Wildfire Crisis
- Rapid Growth: The Table Rock Mountain fire in South Carolina has doubled in size daily for three days, burning 17 square miles (44 sq km) with the nearby Persimmon Ridge fire by March 29, 2025.
- Firefighting Efforts: Crews have kept the blaze from structures by digging firebreaks, pushing it north through undeveloped land, with over 550 water drops by air. No injuries reported.
- Challenging Conditions: Dry fuel, low humidity, and high winds hinder containment, worsened by Hurricane Helene’s tree debris from six months ago, a long-term issue for firefighting.
- Regional Impact: North Carolina has eight fires, with the largest (Black Cove and Deep Woods, 10 sq miles) stabilizing. South Carolina has seen 373 wildfires in March, burning 28 sq miles (73 sq km).
- Outlook and Response: April is peak wildfire season, with little relief forecast. A burn ban persists, with Gov. McMaster warning of penalties. Rain is expected Sunday-Monday, but not enough to douse the fires fully.
