The largest fire in Upstate South Carolina history also burned more than 500 acres in Transylvania County. If not for a shift in the weather and the work of fire crews, it could have been a lot worse.
Dan, congrats on an impressively thorough and detailed reporting job. As you know, I live just south of the state line. Our home was two miles from the eventual western edge of the Table Rock fire. I appreciate learning so much from your article about the logistics of the fire fight. Well done! Also ... the irony of how homes in the WUI (mine included) both prevent obstacles to firefighting and add urgency to the battle to extinguish wildfire...sobering.
You wrote the story we have been waiting for explaining the strategic decisions made to save our homes.
Yesterday we walked the Foothills Trail Spur from Gum Gap westward toward Slicking Gap. The charred landscape to the south and the still green forest to the north showed the hard work done with heavy equipment and strong backs to strengthen the fire break.
Excellent reporting, Dan. Now would be the right time to contact our state legislators to urge more funds be allocated to our forest service to hire more personnel, upgrade firefighting equipment and increase educational efforts for homeowners.
Remember this the next time it is proposed that proper Forest Management is needed. A local plan was proposed to the previous administration, which was denied and then scaled back to a joke of a 'management plan'. There was too much dead, old growth on the forest floor well before Hurricane Helene had made her presence. Without proper management and maintenance, we will be at risk for a fire disaster.
Thanks so much for your thorough and exacting article on the Table Rock fire. You bring the issue alive and supply tons of information. This is credible and informative journalism at its best.
Dan, congrats on an impressively thorough and detailed reporting job. As you know, I live just south of the state line. Our home was two miles from the eventual western edge of the Table Rock fire. I appreciate learning so much from your article about the logistics of the fire fight. Well done! Also ... the irony of how homes in the WUI (mine included) both prevent obstacles to firefighting and add urgency to the battle to extinguish wildfire...sobering.
Wonderful reporting Dan. By far the best story I’ve read on this Fire. Thank you for all the great work you do.
You wrote the story we have been waiting for explaining the strategic decisions made to save our homes.
Yesterday we walked the Foothills Trail Spur from Gum Gap westward toward Slicking Gap. The charred landscape to the south and the still green forest to the north showed the hard work done with heavy equipment and strong backs to strengthen the fire break.
Excellent reporting, Dan. Now would be the right time to contact our state legislators to urge more funds be allocated to our forest service to hire more personnel, upgrade firefighting equipment and increase educational efforts for homeowners.
Remember this the next time it is proposed that proper Forest Management is needed. A local plan was proposed to the previous administration, which was denied and then scaled back to a joke of a 'management plan'. There was too much dead, old growth on the forest floor well before Hurricane Helene had made her presence. Without proper management and maintenance, we will be at risk for a fire disaster.
You highlighted the increasingly complex issues of the WUI in the face of diminishing economic resources and growing climate pressure. Thanks.
Thanks so much for your thorough and exacting article on the Table Rock fire. You bring the issue alive and supply tons of information. This is credible and informative journalism at its best.
Gus Napier, Cedar mountain
And thanks for your help with it,Gus
And how about punishment for the fire starters that reflects the gravity of their irresponsible actions?