Cigarettes ignited large Table Rock fire in South Carolina, officials say
Three South Carolina men and a teenager have been arrested on suspicion of starting the largest mountain wildfire in state history, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said.
The teens were smoking on a hiking trail at Table Rock State Park on March 21 and did not properly extinguish their cigarettes, which sparked the inferno, according to the state agency.
The Pickens County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, Isaac David Wilson and Tristan William Tyler, both 18, and a minor who was not identified were charged with arson and negligently allowing a fire to spread.
Data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission shows the Table Rock Fire has burned more than 13,200 acres, the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina history. As of Tuesday, the wildfire was 30% contained. Rounds of heavy rainfall have helped firefighters.
The Table Rock Fire was one of several large wildfires that broke out across the Carolinas last month, straining firefighting resources as officials issued burn bans, evacuated neighborhoods and opened shelters. Downed trees and dry brush left over from Hurricane Helene fueled the blazes, along with strong wind gusts and low humidity.
Just east of the Table Rock Fire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire has burned more than 2,000 acres and was 74% contained as of Tuesday, according to the forestry commission, which said in an operational update that the fire "has ceased growth and will remain in its current footprint."
The Table Rock Fire was discovered March 21 while rescue crews searched for missing hiker Stephanie Womack. The search group evacuated seven hikers, including the teens, and questioned them about the origins of the fire.
Marsh, Wilson and Tyler posted $7,500 bonds and were released. The juvenile was not booked and was released into his parents' custody.