South-Carolina
South Carolina has a Very Large Airtanker fighting fires from above for first time
Table Rock Fire grows, crews work to contain wildfires in Carolinas
Firefighters continue to extinguish the Table Rock Fire that spread out to the North Carolina state line in several places.
South Carolina is bringing in the big guns to fight the rapidly expanding Table Rock wildfire. Very Large Airtankers, a type of water-dropping airplane, are on the scene to help first responders.
This is the first time in South Carolina history that this type of aircraft has been used in the state, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
The VLAT is just one of five types of aircraft fighting the raging Table Rock Fire, which grew expansively on Thursday, charring nearly 8700 acres as of Thursday evening.
The Table Rock Fire continues to rage on Friday, creeping north to burn in Transylvania County as well as the Upstate. Burn bans are in place across the two states and evacuation orders have been mandated for the affected counties.
Table Rock Fire is the largest, but not the only, fire burning North Carolina. First responders are also battling a large fire in Polk County, the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires; Swain County, the Alarka Fire; and Haywood County, the Rattlesnake Branch Fire.
What is a Very Large Airtanker?
Very Large Airtankers can deliver thousands of gallons of fire retardant at one time, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
It’s the largest type of fire fighting airplane and can hold around 9,400 gallons of flame retardant. The aircraft can hover at least 250 feet above the burning land and deliver the retardant.
This airtanker worked to contain the northeast end of the Table Rock fire on Thursday, March 27, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
What types of aircraft are fighting the wildfires?
There is a lot of air power in South Carolina Friday to help contain the wildfires. In addition to the VLAT, at least four other types of aircrafts are helping first responders dull the fire’s rapid blaze.
Large airtankers are on the scene. This plane can hold between 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of fire retardant or water to suprress wildfires. Single-engine airtanks offer additional support, with the capibility to carry 800 gallons fire retardant or water.
Additionally, the South Carolina Law Enforcment Division and South Carolina National Guard are operating helicopters to fight the fire from above.
Western NC Wildfire map
See up-to-date information about the active wildfires in the region.
South Carolina Wildfire map
Watch Spartanburg nurse practitioner Chandler Nash talk about measles
Chandler Hash, a nurse practitioner at Parkside Health Center talks about measles and vaccine
Not long ago, it appeared almost certain that the measles outbreak centered in Spartanburg would surpass 1,000 cases.
Now that case total may be unlikely.
On March 27, DPH reported no new infections. The total number of cases remains at 997, where it has stood since March 17, when DPH reported one new infection.
There is currently one person in quarantine, according to the March 27 DPH update.
The measles outbreak began in October and grew somewhat slowly until the Christmas holidays. In January, the number of cases exploded—from 185 on Jan. 2 to 847 on Jan. 30.
In a March 25 media briefing, state epidemiologist Linda Bell was asked about the declining number of cases.
She credited an uptick in vaccinations in January and February, as well as DPH efforts to identify cases quickly and quarantine people who were infected or exposed.
If no new infections occur, DPH officials said the outbreak could be declared ended on April 26.
DPH officials explained that it takes 42 days with no new infections, “to declare an end to a measles outbreak. This is double the number of days for an incubation period (21 days) and a clear indicator of a broken transmission chain.”
Bell said DPH is asking school nurses and physicians’ offices to report any possible measles symptoms.
She added that health officials are keeping an eye on spring break — April 6-10 for public schools in Spartanburg County — as families might travel for vacation or to visit family members. People lacking immunity could be at risk.
“We remain vigilant,” Bell said, stressing that the two-dose MMR vaccine is the most effective protection against the spread of measles.
The Lions may be looking for a safety within the first two rounds due to injuries to Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. That’s where Jalon Kilgore may come in. He has some minor injuries, but appears to be a relatively low-risk prospect for a team that needs to add health to that room.
Here is the excerpt of my medical report on Jalon Kilgore:
Jalon Kilgore, S (21) – South Carolina
Projected round 2-3.
Concern level 2/10
While his availability has been excellent, Kilgore has a history of hamstring strains in 2025 and 2023. If his 2024 injury is found to be also a hamstring, then happenstance becomes a disturbing trend.
With fast-twitch athletes, hamstrings are going to be very common, and generally don’t present any long-term issues. The difficult trick will be to determine if a certain player is more prone to hamstrings.
What helps Kilgore a lot is his young age.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Jimmy on X, @JimmyLiaoMD
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — One person was critically injured in a motorcycle crash in the Longs area on Thursday afternoon, according to Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR).
Just before 2:00 p.m., crews responded to the area of Old Highway 31 near Hidden River Road.
MORE: 1 critically injured in vehicle rollover near International Dr.
One person was transported to the hospital as a result of the motorcycle crash, HCFR said.
Officials ask that drivers avoid the area as lanes of traffic are currently blocked.
The incident is under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol with assistance from the Horry County Police Department.
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