It’s been a rough quarter in the Palmetto State for South Carolina’s State Parks. In October, Hurricane Matthew wreaked extensive havoc on Hunting Island State Park, Edisto Beach State Park, and Myrtle Beach State Park – and now fires are smouldering all around Pinnacle Mountain and the state’s most recognizable natural landmark: Table Rock.
Flickr/David Ellis Any other time in the last few million years, Table Rock has looked pretty much like this. Beautiful, majestic and unbreakable.
Jill Newman (Do not use without permission) But today, thanks to upstate resident and photographer, Jill Newman, who captured this image in the late afternoon on Wednesday, we can see that Table Rock is now smouldering. But not for the reason you may think.
Facebook/SC National Guard via SC Forestry Commission The South Carolina National Guard has been battling a wildfire on neighboring Pinnacle Mountain for more than week. More than 60 people in Table Rock State Park have been evacuated and then allowed to return home at will during that time.
Facebook/South Carolina National Guard In the meantime, the fire has raged on to engulf and char approximately 3,200 acres so far.
Facebook/South Carolina National Guard The South Carolina Forestry Commission, in an update at 11:00 a.m. today, said the wildfires burning at Pinnacle Mountain are now 35% contained.
Facebook/Franklin Reynolds of the Pickens County Fire Department via The South Carolina Forest Commission Facebook page But what about the fires we’re now seeing at the base of Table Rock?Part of the plan to save South Carolina’s beloved Table Rock State Park is to start controlled fires around the perimeter to burn off brush that could attract the moving wildfire. So the fires and the smoke you may see at the base of Table Rock today and in the next few days, are at this point, merely strategic fires that have been set to control the spread of the big one.According to the SC Forestry Commission’s latest update, the controlled fires will encompass both sides of Table Rock and will extend north to the Table Rock Reservoir, south to the Pinnacle Lake area, and east to the Table Rock State Park boundary near High Low Gap.
Facebook/The South Carolina Forestry Division About 170 personnel are working in this large scale burnout operation and the efforts to contain and extinquish the Pinnacle Mountain fire.
Facebook/The South Carolina Forestry Commission Smoke is already an issue in the upstate and is drifting more and more toward the coast. Heavy smoke is also drifting in from wildfires raging in five other states in the south, giving the Palmetto State a “double-whammy” dose of think haze.
It’s devastating to see this wildfire in the beautiful upstate. Want to know what you can do? Be vigilant. Be on the lookout where you live for anything that looks like it could be the start of a new flame. You can also show support and gratitude to the many firefighters by leaving a comment here or on our Facebook page. And lastly, you can pray.
Flickr/David Ellis
Any other time in the last few million years, Table Rock has looked pretty much like this. Beautiful, majestic and unbreakable.
Jill Newman (Do not use without permission)
But today, thanks to upstate resident and photographer, Jill Newman, who captured this image in the late afternoon on Wednesday, we can see that Table Rock is now smouldering. But not for the reason you may think.
Facebook/SC National Guard via SC Forestry Commission
The South Carolina National Guard has been battling a wildfire on neighboring Pinnacle Mountain for more than week. More than 60 people in Table Rock State Park have been evacuated and then allowed to return home at will during that time.
Facebook/South Carolina National Guard
In the meantime, the fire has raged on to engulf and char approximately 3,200 acres so far.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission, in an update at 11:00 a.m. today, said the wildfires burning at Pinnacle Mountain are now 35% contained.
Facebook/Franklin Reynolds of the Pickens County Fire Department via The South Carolina Forest Commission Facebook page
But what about the fires we’re now seeing at the base of Table Rock?Part of the plan to save South Carolina’s beloved Table Rock State Park is to start controlled fires around the perimeter to burn off brush that could attract the moving wildfire. So the fires and the smoke you may see at the base of Table Rock today and in the next few days, are at this point, merely strategic fires that have been set to control the spread of the big one.According to the SC Forestry Commission’s latest update, the controlled fires will encompass both sides of Table Rock and will extend north to the Table Rock Reservoir, south to the Pinnacle Lake area, and east to the Table Rock State Park boundary near High Low Gap.
Facebook/The South Carolina Forestry Division
About 170 personnel are working in this large scale burnout operation and the efforts to contain and extinquish the Pinnacle Mountain fire.
Facebook/The South Carolina Forestry Commission
Smoke is already an issue in the upstate and is drifting more and more toward the coast. Heavy smoke is also drifting in from wildfires raging in five other states in the south, giving the Palmetto State a “double-whammy” dose of think haze.
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