As wildfires continue to spread across North and South Carolina, thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. Dry and windy conditions have exacerbated the situation, with over 175 separate wildfires reported, consuming more than 4,200 acres. In response, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency.

In North Carolina, Polk County was hit particularly hard, as a brush fire near the state border quickly spread to 400 acres, endangering the communities of Saluda, Melrose, and Tryon. Evacuations were ordered, and multiple fire departments, along with the North Carolina Forest Service, worked to contain the blaze.

Philip Jackson from the Department of Agriculture joined Jon Champion to discuss the status of those wildfires and the efforts made to protect affected communities.