Firefighters battle 200-acre wildfire in McCormick County

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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