The devastating wildfire forced the public safety department to announce a mandatory evacuation in North Carolina’s Polk County while South Carolina’s governor has declared a state of emergency due to spreading fires.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety ordered mandatory evacuations at 8.20 pm Saturday for sections of Polk County, situated 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Charlotte.
“Visibility in area will be reduced and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked; if you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed,” stated the agency via social media.
A shelter has been established in Columbus, North Carolina, according to the public safety department.
The North Carolina Forest Service reports three active fires in Polk County, with two major blazes covering 1.7 square miles (4.4 square kilometers) to 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers). Additional fires are burning in Burke, Madison, and Stokes counties, the latter bordering Virginia.

North Carolina issues ‘Code Red,’ signaling unhealthy air

Due to the three separate fires — the Black Cove Fire, Deep Woods Fire and the Fish Hook Fire– the North Carolina Division of Air Quality issued a “Code Red” alert signaling unhealthy air for Polk County, and a “Code Orange” in Rutherford County, signaling unhealthy air for people sensitive to smoke.

Western North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s September impact, which damaged Interstate 40’s eastbound lanes and affected 5,000 miles (8,046 kilometers) of state roads and 7,000 private roads.
Simultaneously, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is managing a Wharton State Forest fire that began Saturday, consuming 2.7 square miles (7 square kilometers) by early Sunday. Firefighters have contained approximately half the blaze, as reported at 8 a.m. on their Facebook page.
Officials evacuated two campgrounds. While 18 buildings were near the fire, the flames moved away from structures, avoiding residential evacuations. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.

Wildfires burn over 4,000 acres in North Carolina

Two major wildfires in Polk County, North Carolina, expanded significantly on Sunday, with both exceeding 2,000 acres and remaining uncontrolled.
The North Carolina Forest Service identified four active fires in the county by Sunday evening.
The two largest fires – Black Cove, which expanded to 2,076 acres, and Deep Wood, reaching 2,545 acres – remained completely uncontained.
These fires were affecting timber areas across challenging steep terrain, spanning both state-owned and private properties within the Green River Gorge, according to the state’s department of agriculture and consumer services.
Approximately 250 firefighting staff from North Carolina and neighbouring states were actively working to protect residential areas and buildings from the advancing fires, as reported by the department.

South Carolina declares emergency

In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster declared an emergency on Saturday to combat the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County, which began in the Blue Ridge Mountains region.
McMaster stated, “As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilise resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property,” supporting Friday’s statewide burning ban.

Officials requested voluntary evacuations near Table Rock Mountain on Saturday. The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office suspended operations Saturday evening, planning to resume Sunday with ground crews, helicopters, and air tankers. The 110-acre (45 hectares) fire prompted authorities to request avoiding state Highway 11.

We asked 7 players and coaches in women’s college basketball about how Dawn Staley has impacted the game and turned South Carolina into one of the iconic programs in history.

• South Carolina women’s basketball, led by coach Dawn Staley, has become a powerhouse program and a force in the sport.
• Staley has led the Gamecocks to three NCAA championships and is considered one of the most iconic coaches in women’s basketball.
• “What Dawn has done over the last six to 10 years is absolutely incredible,” one opposing coach said. “Dawn has now become the torchbearer.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has created an environment in which rival teams feel not only challenged but also excited to play against a powerhouse program in a city that has become a mecca of sorts for women’s basketball. 

“It’s a really special place,” Indiana guard Sydney Parrish said ahead of the No. 9 Hoosiers’ second-round March Madness game against the Gamecocks. “First of all, it’s really hard to win here in Columbia at the height of where women’s basketball is right now and where South Carolina basketball is right now.”

Under Staley’s leadership, South Carolina has won three NCAA championships and is gunning for a fourth. If they win it all this year, the Gamecocks would be the first back-to-back women’s NCAA champions since UConn in 2016. 

Watch South Carolina vs. Indiana on Fubo

The Gamecocks are often mentioned alongside programs such as UConn, Tennessee – once led by the iconic Pat Summitt – and Stanford.

“What Dawn has done over the last six to 10 years is absolutely incredible,” said Kim Rosamond, coach of a No. 16 Tennessee Tech team that fell to South Carolina in the first round. “Dawn has now become the torchbearer, so to speak, for the college game. She’s doing it as well as anyone in the game today.”

Tara VanDerveer’s retirement last year after a long and successful career at Stanford left Staley, UConn’s Geno Auriemma and LSU’s Kim Mulkey as the most iconic coaches still on the sidelines in March Madness this year.

Dawn Staley’s record, impact at South Carolina

What Staley has accomplished with the Gamecocks is nothing short of extraordinary: Three national championships, six Final Fours and more than 450 wins since she took over the program in 2008. In January, South Carolina extended Staley’s contract through 2029-30 with a $4 million annual base salary, making her the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball.

“South Carolina has been able to see it was worth it to invest in Dawn Staley – and how she changed this program and the impact she’s had on these young women,” said Lisa Leslie, a three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic teammate of Staley’s who came to Columbia to support her close friend during South Carolina’s first-round game Friday against Tennessee Tech. 

Staley isn’t focused on titles or on debating where South Carolina fits among the pantheon of top programs. She’s already confident that her program has cemented its place in history.

“I think we created a legacy already, whether we win this one or not,” Staley said. “What we’ve done over the past eight years won’t be done again. If we win another one, it just adds to our legacy in the game.” 

South Carolina’s junior forward Chloe Kitts said Staley herself already belongs in the legacy conversation as well.

“She has accomplished every goal, so why would she not be in that category?” Kitts asked, referring to coaches like Summitt and VanDerveer. 

Indiana head coach Teri Moren compared South Carolina to other powerhouses such as Tennessee, UConn and Stanford. 

“You can’t talk about those other teams without mentioning South Carolina,” Moren said. “They’ve raised the bar for everybody. It’s no longer UConn, it’s no longer Tennessee. You can now talk about South Carolina.”

Staley’s coaching record at Colonial Life Arena, South Carolina’s home venue, is 230-35.

“I think we have a 4% chance of winning,” Indiana’s Parrish said, somewhat jokingly, about playing South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday.

South Carolina women’s basketball fans show out — consistently

The Gamecocks feel the love from their community, with fans showing their appreciation through gifts, cards and constant encouragement.

“We have this one little girl who got her hair braided, and each of her beads has our names on them,” South Carolina’s senior center Sakima Walker said. “The fans really love us.” 

All players who come to play in Columbia feel that support and energy. 

“We’ve been trying to create it in Utah,” Utes senior forward Jenna Johnson said before Utah played Indiana in a first-round game in Columbia on Friday. “It’s just fun to play in this environment.”

Anna Williams is a student in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.

How’s your women’s March Madness bracket doing? If you picked chalk, you should be in prime position.

The 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament officially tipped off Friday and aside from a couple of upsets — like No. 7 Vanderbilt falling to No. 10 Oregon in overtime or No. 10 South Dakota State defeating No. 7 Oklahoma State — higher-seeded teams have taken care of business against lower-seeded teams in the opening round.

All four of the No. 1 seeds in the tournament — UCLA, South Carolina, Texas and USC — comfortably cruised to the second round after defeating their first-round opponents by an average margin of victory of 47 points.

And a total of six teams — South Carolina, Notre Dame, Tennessee, UConn, Texas and LSU — surpassed 100 points in the first round, a tournament record for a single round, according to ESPN.

The largest blowout in the first round belonged to No. 2 UConn, which tied the seventh largest margin of victory in women’s March Madness history with a 103-34 win over No. 15 Arkansas State. (More on that later.) The tournament record was set in 2017 when No. 1 Baylor defeated No. 16 Texas Southern by a whopping 89 points in a first-round matchup that ended 119-30.

Before we set our sights on the second round of this year’s tournament, lets that a look at the biggest blowouts in the opening round of 64:

MARCH MADNESS: Big upsets are rare in women’s NCAA Tournament. Is this the year that changes?

MORE: NCAA women’s basketball tournament bracket breakdown, best games, players to watch

69 points — No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Arkansas State

UConn is in pursuit of its first national championship since 2016 and the Huskies got off to a great start in the first round with a rout of Arkansas State. Azzi Fudd dropped 27 points (10-for-13 FG, 6-for-9 3PT) in her first tourney appearance since 2023 and had a career-high seven assists. Freshman Sarah Strong recorded her fourth straight double-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five blocks, the first player in 25 years to record that stat line. The Huskies scored 35 points off turnovers alone and held Arkansas State to 12-of-70 from the field.

WHO IS AZZI FUDD? UConn star dropped 21 points in first half vs. Arkansas State

61 points — No. 2 Duke vs. No. 15 Lehigh

The Blue Devils recorded their largest margin of victory this season, while holding Lehigh to the second-lowest point total in NCAA Women’s Tournament history. Duke did so with both their offense and defense. Three Blue Devils scored in double digits, led by sophomore Oluchi Okananwa’s 15 points (6-of-10 FG, 2-3 3PT), seven rebounds, three steals and two assists. The Mountain Hawks were held to single digits in each quarter in the game. “This is March. Doesn’t matter who your opponent is. You address each and every one with the same intensity,” Okananwa said after the win.

60 points — No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 16 Tennessee Tech

South Carolina entered Friday’s first-round matchup with extra motivation after being snubbed for the No. 1 overall seed. The Gamecocks came out and made a statement with a 60-point victory over Tennessee Tech. Freshman Joyce Edwards had a team-high 22 points (9-of-12 FG), while MiLaysia Fulwiley added 15 points. South Carolina leads the nation in bench points per game (42.2) this season and showcased its depth on Friday. The Gamecocks’ 66 bench points Friday marked the most in NCAA Tournament history.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Raven Johnson brings energy in March Madness beatdown of Tennessee Tech

DAWN STALEY: South Carolina women’s basketball super fan Plies gifts head coach gem-studded chain

52 points — No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin

Notre Dame entered the NCAA Tournament losing three of its last five games, but the Fighting Irish corrected course with a dominant first-round win, which marked the second time in program history that Notre Dame surpassed 100 points in March Madness. Five players scored in the double digits, led by Sonia Citron (24) and Hannah Hidalgo (24). Notre Dame placed an emphasis on defense, swiping 18 steals and forcing 28 turnovers. It wasn’t all smiles for Notre Dame — Olivia Miles’ night ended early due to an ankle injury.

OLIVIA MILES INJURY UPDATE: Notre Dame guard exits Stephen F. Austin game after hurting ankle

46 — No. 1 USC vs. No. 16 UNC Greensboro

• Final score: USC 71, UNC Greensboro 25
• Largest lead: 46 points

The Trojans held the Spartans to the second-lowest point total in NCAA Women’s Tournament history and their 46-point margin of victory marked the program’s largest in a March Madness game. Sophomore JuJu Watkins led the way with a game-high 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals. She’s scored double digits in every game this season. Senior Kiki Iriafen added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, marking her 12th of the season. The Trojans scored 32 points off of 23 turnovers and held the Spartans to 7-of-54 from the field.

JUJU WATKINS INJURY UPDATE: Rolled ankle in USC March Madness game today

44 — No. 5 Kansas State vs. No. 12 Fairfield

Kansas State soundly defeated Fairfield by 44 points following the return of star center Ayoka Lee, who put up a double-double with 17 points (7-of-10 FG) and 10 rebounds in her first game in nearly a month. Guard Serena Sundell flirted with a double-double with 18 points (8-of-10 FG), nine assists and two steals. Kansas State out rebounded Fairfield 44-19 and held the Stags to 15-of-51 from the field.

44 — No. 1 Texas vs. No. 16 William & Mary

Madison Booker showed exactly why she’s the SEC player of the year following a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double performance. The Longhorns pulled away from William & Mary in the second half and led by as many as 45 points in the win. Texas outscored William & Mary 56-22 in the paint and out rebounded the Tribe 51-26.

38 — No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 16 Southern

• Final score: UCLA 84, Southern 46
• Largest lead: 38 points

The No. 1 overall seed opened the NCAA Tournament by setting a program record for the largest margin of victory in March Madness history. Six Bruins scored in double-digits, led by Lauren Betts’ 14 points, six blocks, four assists, three blocks and one steal. Will this be the season UCLA women’s basketball breaks through? The Bruins have advanced as far as the Elite Eight twice (1999, 2018) and Sweet Sixteen nine times, most recently last season, but have never made it to the Final Four. 

LAUREN BETTS: Stats, what to know of UCLA women’s basketball star

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