South-Carolina

Emergency declared in North and South Carolina as wildfires force evacuations: Live

Published

11 months ago

March 3, 2025

Emergency declared in North and South Carolina as wildfires force evacuations: Live

Watch as forest fire threatens homes in Carolina Forest

Firefighters battled over 170 blazes in North and South Carolina throughout the weekend, including an enormous fire near Myrtle Beach that doubled in size overnight on Saturday.

The blaze near Carolina Forest, a community just west of the tourist spot in Horry County, stretched across 1,600 acres. As of Sunday evening it was 30 percent contained, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Video showed firefighters battling flames as the fire neared houses in the area. Later on Sunday, officials announced that the residents of all neighborhoods previously evacuated due to the Carolina Forest wildfire were able to return home.

South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMaster, declared a state of emergency “to further support wildfire response efforts across the state” and ensure first responders “continue to have the resources they need.”

In North Carolina, a brush fire in the mountains threatened communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains about 40 miles south of Asheville. The fire had burned between 400 and 500 acres and was zero percent contained as of Sunday afternoon, according to Polk County Emergency Management.

Watch as forest fire threatens homes in Carolina Forest

Gustaf Kilander3 March 2025 05:31

State of wildfires burning in North Caroilna

Fire crews in North Carolina are battling multiple wildfires across four national forests, with the largest burning in Uwharrie National Forest, about 50 miles (80km) east of Charlotte.

The US Forest Service said the 400-acre (162-hectare) fire, reached about one-third containment by Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, in Polk County, the small town of Tryon remains under evacuation orders as a separate wildfire continues to spread.

The blaze, which has scorched 500 acres (202 hectares) with zero containment, prompted officials to urge some residents to leave on Saturday.

Stuti Mishra3 March 2025 04:50

Blackthorn Drive Fire 100% contained

One of two Carolina Forest area wildfires that burned roughly 2,000 acres over the weekend has been fully contained.

According to the South Carolina Forest Commission, the Blackthorn Drive Fire, the smaller of the two. is 100 per cent contained.

Stuti Mishra3 March 2025 04:18

Crews battle wildfires in North and South Carolina amid dry conditions and gusty winds

Crews battled wildfires in North and South Carolina on Sunday amid dry conditions and gusty winds and evacuations were ordered in some areas.

The National Weather Service warned of increased fire danger in the region due to a combination of critically dry fuels and very low relative humidity.

In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday to support the wildfire response effort, and a statewide burning ban remained in effect.

Watch: Wildfire spreads in Myrtle Beach, causing evacuations

Wildfire spreads in Myrtle Beach, causing evacuations

Mike Bedigan3 March 2025 03:00

Horry County Schools to return on Monday

Horry County Schools will run on a regular schedule on Monday based on re-entry protocols into several Carolina Forest neighborhoods, district officials have said.

“We recognize that many students, their families and staff may still be affected by the wildfires. We are committed to being flexible and working with each individual on a case-by-case basis tomorrow,” spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said in a statement.

“If you or your family are experiencing challenges due to the fires, we encourage you to reach out to your school to discuss your specific circumstances and needs.”

Mike Bedigan3 March 2025 02:30

Evacuated residents allowed to return home

Evacuated residents in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach were allowed to return home on Sunday afternoon, though were warned to be vigilant.

As of 4:25 p.m., residents of all neighborhoods were given the go ahead to go home.

Representative of South Carolina District 56 Tim McGinnis said no one was injured or killed and no structures have been lost.

A burn ban was issued in Horry County after several fires on Thursday.

Mike Bedigan3 March 2025 02:00

Myrtle Beach fire grew to 1,600 acres at peak

At its largest the California Forest wildfire grew to more than 1,600 acres, the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported on its official tracking site. As of 5.30 p.m. it was 30 percent contained.

Throughout much of Sunday officials estimated that the size of the blaze was 1,200 acres.

Mike Bedigan3 March 2025 01:30

In pictures: Firefighters tackle blazes in the Carolinas

Mike Bedigan3 March 2025 01:00

NWS warns of increased fire danger

The National Weather Service warned of increased fire danger in the region due to a combination of critically dry fuels and very low relative humidity.

Mike Bedigan3 March 2025 00:30

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South-Carolina

South Carolina gas prices rose 15 cents in one week. Here’s why

Published

11 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina gas prices rose 15 cents in one week. Here’s why

Gas prices in South Carolina saw a significant increase in late January.
An expert attributes the rise in diesel prices to cold weather increasing demand for heating oil.
Seasonal refinery transitions to summer gasoline and geopolitical events are contributing to higher gasoline costs.
Prices are expected to continue rising as spring and summer approach, a typical annual trend.

South Carolina is seeing a significant increase in gas prices, but one expert explained the price hike is not uncommon for this time of year.

GasBuddy, a North America platform that analyses gas price trends, reported that the average cost of a gallon in South Carolina rose from $2.468 on Jan. 19 to $2.617 on Jan. 26 — a difference of just under 15 cents.

Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said the cost of diesel gas and gasoline have seen price increases lately. The rise in diesel gas can be explained by a burst of wintery weather facing many U.S. states this week, while the spike in gasoline prices is a little more complex.

According to De Haan, diesel gas prices are on the rise because diesel gas and heating oil are essentially the same product, leading to a spike in diesel demand when temperatures get colder.

“Diesel and heating oil are essentially the same product,” De Haan said. “It’s temperatures that would then cause heating oil demand to go up.”

De Haan went on to say that the rise in gasoline prices may be caused by time of year and recent geopolitical events. According to the analyst, gas prices usually start trending upward later in the winter.

During this time, refineries start to make summer gasoline, which has a lower Reid vapor pressure and is often pricier. It also coincides with spring break vacations, when many people take to the road and drive up demand for gasoline.

“Maybe in a few weeks, we could see prices stabilize or decline slightly,” De Haan said. “But also, beyond that, we’re getting closer to the start of the annual rise in gas prices that happens every spring.

Another driver for higher gasoline prices is the supply market overseas. The analyst pointed to three situations overseas that could be driving up the cost of a barrel of gasoline, making American consumers feel more of an impact on their wallets at the pump.

He said the ongoing situation in Venezuela, U.S. sanctions on Iran, and an oil field fire in Kazakhstan could all cause the price of gasoline to rise. De Haan said any disruption to global oil supply can be felt by consumers almost immediately.

“Iran is a major oil producer,” De Haan said. “Those sanctions President Trump puts on Iran make it more difficult for them to supply oil to the market, meaning that global oil supply could be negatively impacted by new sanctions.”

De Haan anticipates that the price of diesel will stay higher so long as colder temperatures stick around, but he is hopeful that those prices will start to come down within a few weeks.

As for regular gasoline, those prices could stay high or even rise simply because of the time of year.

“Enjoy these lower prices, because they will start to inch up as we get closer to summer,” De Haan said. “That’s something that happens every year.”

Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com

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South-Carolina

Upstate SC communities monitor road conditions after storm

Published

24 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Upstate SC communities monitor road conditions after storm

Officials in Upstate South Carolina are working to clear roads after a severe winter storm over the weekend caused numerous road closures due to icing, black ice, downed power lines, and fallen trees.

Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson counties have implemented a plan to clear roads, primarily involving city and county crews as well as the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), to treat and clear roads, prioritize major routes, and remove debris.

According to a news release South Carolina Public Radio, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has approximately 4,000 employees positioned across the state to clear and treat roadways in the aftermath of the winter storm.

Crews are using snowplows and salt to improve driving conditions, while power companies are restoring electricity to affected areas.

Residents are urged to exercise caution when traveling on Jan. 26-27 and allow extra time for their commutes.

Watch for black ice, especially where the pavement looks wet
Bridges and overpasses may freeze first
Shaded areas and less-traveled roads can remain icy longer
Slow down and allow extra stopping distance

If travel is not necessary, consider delaying until conditions improve.

Current road conditions in Upstate South Carolina

According to the National Weather Service, as of Jan. 26, the storm has moved out, but hazardous conditions remain throughout the Carolinas.

Travel remains dangerous, especially on untreated secondary roads. Here’s how roads look around the Upstate.

Greenville road conditions

Greenville County: City of Greenville crews have prioritized and treated major arterial and collector streets (Priority A and B routes). They are now assessing C and D routes (residential streets). The City of Greenville website provides live closure updates.
Ashmore Bridge Road: Closed at the “S” curve between Sonoma Drive and Fowler Circle in Mauldin.
Parking Garages: Top levels of all city-owned garages remain closed to prevent icing accidents

Officials warn that any moisture on surfaces is expected to refreeze overnight, creating black ice and further hazardous conditions.

Spartanburg road conditions

Spartanburg County: Crews are applying brine and sand, with an emphasis on interstates, high-traffic primary roads, bridges, and overpasses to melt icing.

Anderson road condtions

Anderson County: Officials from the county and the S.C. Department of Transportation are working together to clear roads, focusing on the main highways and emergency routes.

Road closures, conditons in South Carolina

For real-time updates on road closures, icing, and other hazards in Upstate South Carolina, people can check out the SCDOT Road Conditions map or the 511 SC app. Drivers can avoid hazardous areas and ensure a safe commute.

Officials stress that black ice remains a significant threat, and non-essential travel should be postponed until conditions are officially deemed safe.

Downed trees and road hazards

People can also report downed trees and road hazards to local authorities or the SCDOT to ensure swift removal and maintain safe travel conditions.

Steps to take if you notice a downed power line

Call 911: If a power line is down and creating an immediate threat to life or property.
Stay Away: Keep a safe distance from downed lines and report them.
Contact power company: Report immediately to Duke Energy or your local provider (Laurens Electric, Broad River Electric, etc.).

Do not report standard power outages to 911. Contact your specific utility provider:

Duke Energy: Call 800-769-3766 or text OUT to 57801.
Blue Ridge Electric Co-op: Call 888-258-3743 or text OUT to 800-240-3400.
Dominion Energy: Call 888-333-4465 for downed or sparking lines.
Greer CPW: Call 864-848-5500 or report via their Customer Portal.
Laurens Electric Co-op: Call 866-973-7867 or 800-942-3141
Greenville: Use the YourGov app or their e-Services portal to report issues.
Spartanburg: Use the MySpartanburg app for city issues.
Anderson: Use the “See, Click, Fix” or “YourGov” app for county roads.
Clemson: Call the non-emergency line at 864-624-2000 for downed trees
State roads/highways: For major highways (e.g., I-85, I-385) or state-maintained roads, report to SCDOT at 855-467-2368

Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trose@gannett.com

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 25, 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 25, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Jan. 25, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 25 drawing

Evening: 4-4-6, FB: 1

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 25 drawing

Evening: 8-2-1-4, FB: 1

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 25 drawing

Evening: 06

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 25 drawing

08-09-13-34-37

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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