Wildfires in Carolinas prompt evacuations, trigger S.C. state of emergency

Firefighters in North and South Carolina were battling dozens of wildfires over the weekend during dry, windy conditions that saw authorities order some residents to evacuate.

The big picture: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) declared a state of emergency emergency Sunday after officials declared a statewide burn ban the previous day that the governor said would remain in effect indefinitely.

Evacuation orders were temporarily issued in response to the state's largest blaze, the Carolina Forest Fire, near Myrtle Beach, S.C. — which officials said had razed some 1,600 acres at 30% containment on Sunday evening as residents were permitted to return home.

North Carolina officials also issued evacuation orders in response to a fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 176 Fire had burned over 500 acres by 8pm and was 30% contained Sunday, per a Polk County Emergency Management said on Facebook post that said a decision on lifting evacuation orders would be made Monday.