North Carolina
Carolina fire maps show where blazes burning in North, South Carolina
Multiple fires have broken out across the Carolinas, forcing hundreds to evacuate from their homes, with the situation especially bad in South Carolina, where Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in western North Carolina, crews were trying to contain several wildfires in four forests across the state.
Why It Matters
The U.S. is still reeling from the devastating wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles County for over a week in January, burning down thousands of structures, including homes, and destroying entire neighborhoods.
The National Weather Service had warned of increased fire danger in the Carolinas region—mainly due to critically dry fuels and low relative humidity.
What To Know
More than 175 fires had burned across 6.6 square miles in South Carolina, as of Sunday, according to the State Fire Marshal.
Crews made progress in the containment of a blaze in the Carolina Forest area west of the coastal resort city of Myrtle Beach, which was estimated to have burned 2.5 square miles.
Locals had been ordered to evacuate earlier that day but by Sunday afternoon, the Horry County Fire Rescue said Carolina Forest evacuees could return home.
fireweatheravalanche.org
In North Carolina, where crews were fighting several forest fires, the largest (around 400 acres) was at Uwharrie National Forest. This blaze had reached about one-third containment by Sunday afternoon.
Some residents in the small southwestern town of Tryon in Polk County, North Carolina, were urged to evacuate—a decision on whether to lift evacuations for the area is expected to be made on Monday.
The cause of the fires is not yet known.
North Carolina Forest Service
What Are People Saying
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster: “This state of emergency ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities from these wildfires, have the resources they need.
“Dangerous wildfire conditions require that a statewide burning ban remain in effect until further notice. Those who violate this ban will be subject to criminal prosecution.”
Weather Channel meteorologist Robb Ellis: “Wildfires are not only common in parts of the Carolinas, but are part of the natural ecosystem of the area, especially in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain. Pine forests regularly rely on wildfire for the release of seeds from pinecones and to clear vegetation for new growth.”
What Happens Next
Emergency services should issue updates on any progress made in fighting the blazes and on evacuation orders soon. The long-term impact of these fires, in terms of destruction, damage and environmental concerns, is yet to be seen.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
Follow
-
Louisiana5 seconds agoAt least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US
-
Maine6 minutes agoWet, cooler today; rain & snow impacts across Maine
-
Maryland12 minutes agoSpeeding motorcycle rider dies in t-bone crash along Marriottsville Road
-
Michigan18 minutes agoFlood warnings continue around Cheboygan as river level stays high
-
Massachusetts24 minutes agoNew Bedford MS-13 Member, Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Role in Brutal Murders In Massachusetts, Virginia
-
Minnesota30 minutes agoVikings Have a Dubious Connection to the Dexter Lawrence Trade
-
Mississippi36 minutes agoMississippi College Baseball Wins Series vs. West Florida for First Time
-
Missouri42 minutes agoIt’s All Madsen In Missouri High Limit Tilt – SPEED SPORT