Wildfires prompt evacuations across the Carolinas over the weekend

POLK COUNTY, N.C. — Crews in Polk County were still working to put out a wildfire Monday that forced dozens of families to evacuate over the weekend.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty learned a tree came down on some powerlines when wind gusts picked up Saturday.

Faherty was with firefighters from across western North Carolina Monday morning as they worked to strengthen the lines across the region.

Crews said they’ve been doing backburns around the homes in the area, trying to protect the folks west of Tryon.

More than 100 firefighters have been on the Melrose fire since Saturday.

Firefighters told Channel 9 their concern going forward was the very dry conditions and the front approaching mid-week that could bring some strong winds.

Faherty spoke with one homeowner who evacuated but is back home now.

“The firefighters were absolutely magnificent,” resident Mike Stritch said. “The fire trail they cut around our house before they backburned was back-breaking work.”

Becky Oliver told Channel 9 that as soon as she learned about the Melrose fire, she jumped into action to help a friend’s mom evacuate with her.

“I needed to get her out because I knew that she was not supposed to drive. And so I called my girlfriend, we’ve been friends since high school. I came over and helped get her stuff together so we could go,” Oliver said.

As of 5:30 p.m. Monday, crews said the fire was 63 percent contained, and all evacuations have been lifted except for homes from the 3000 block to the 3910 block of Highway 176.

Firefighters said no homes have been damaged so far and the evacuations were voluntary.

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In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency over the weekend as crews battled wildfires in the Carolina Forest.

By Monday, officials said the flames had burned about 1,600 acres around Myrtle Beach.

As of late Sunday night, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said 30 percent of the fire was contained.

Crews said some of the large flames got very close to homes in the area.

Video showed some residents running down the street as smoke filled the sky, The Associated Press reports.

By late Sunday afternoon, The AP adds, the fire department announced that Carolina Forest evacuees could return home.

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