EDGEFIELD, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – The U.S. Forest Service battled a 200-acre wildfire in McCormick County throughout the day Saturday

40 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies went to the Woodlawn Fire, six miles north of Evans, Georgia, on the Sumter National Forest and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources land in southern McCormick County to battle the fire Saturday

Drivers should use caution on Woodlawn Road and Highway 28. Currently, there are no evacuations and no structures threatened, according to authorities.

The 200-acre wildfire is burning in heavy dead and down debris from Hurricane Helene, making it difficult for firefighters to access the area, according to the forest service. Firefighters are using roads to contain and control the fire’s spread.

Firefighters are using aircraft to move the fire to roads, where it will be easier and safer to suppress it, officials say.

The forest service says not to fly drones near the wildfire as they are extremely dangerous to firefighters and public safety.

If drones are spotted in the area, firefighting aircraft will be grounded, delaying response to the fire.

Officials say the size of the will increase throughout Saturday afternoon, and smoke will be visible from several surrounding communities, including Modoc and Clarks Hill in South Carolina and Martinez, Evans and Augusta.

Smoke may impact roads and lower terrain overnight, the forest service says. The Woodlawn Fire was discovered at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The cause of the fire is unknown. The U.S. Forest Service is working in with South Carolina Forestry Commission, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Clarks Hill Fire Department.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A downtown Augusta tea house that started as a potential Airbnb is now open to the public three days a week.

Royal Tea on Reynolds, located on Reynolds Street, opened in January of last year as a venue rental space, hosting birthday parties, bridal showers and other private events.

A few months later, the business began offering tea-themed events.

From Airbnb idea to tea house

Owner Lakeisha Germany said the concept came to her after a visit to Atlanta.

“I went to Atlanta and just happened to go to a tea house in Atlanta. And I thought oh Augusta doesn’t have this,” Germany said.

Germany said she and her husband originally had other plans for the Reynolds Street property after purchasing it.

“So we ended up purchasing it and we were just going to rent it out as an Airbnb,” Germany said.

Tea sourced from across the country

The tea served at Royal Tea on Reynolds is sourced from multiple states, including Maryland, Ohio, California and Texas.

“I can get tea from Georgia, but it’ll be tea from Georgia,” Germany said. “You want to bring different things to Augusta. That’s the good thing about partnering with people from all over the place, because they all have a different perspective.”

MORE OPEN FOR BUSINESS:

Now open to walk-in guests

The business has expanded its tea-themed offerings to include themed events such as a Bridgerton afternoon tea, Easter tea and a Derby afternoon tea, Germany said.

Germany said the decision to open regular public hours came in response to customer demand.

“Everyone’s been asking that we open so we’re going to try it and see how it works out,” Germany said.

Royal Tea on Reynolds is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Venue rentals are available on weekends.

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