The Table Rock Fire, raging through South Carolina’s Upstate region, continues to challenge firefighting crews and threaten nearby communities as of March 28, 2025. Here’s the latest on this rapidly evolving situation in the Table Rock Complex.

Fire Overview and Growth

The blaze, which ignited on March 21, 2025, within Table Rock State Park in Pickens County, was sparked by the negligent actions of four teenage hikers. Fueled by dry conditions, high winds, and an abundance of downed timber from Hurricane Helene, the fire has exploded in size. As of the evening of March 27, the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported an estimated 8,679 acres burned, based on infrared data from a 4:30 p.m. surveillance flight. However, some X posts and unofficial reports suggest it may have surpassed 10,000 acres by nightfall—though official confirmation is still pending.
The Table Rock Fire remains at 0% containment, with its steep, mountainous terrain and storm debris complicating efforts to establish a perimeter. It’s part of the broader Table Rock Complex, which also includes the nearby Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County (996 acres as of the latest update), both managed under a unified incident command.

Evacuations and Community Impact

Mandatory evacuations are in place across Pickens and Greenville counties. In Pickens, all areas north of Highway 11 from Aunt Sue’s to the Greenville County line are under orders to evacuate, with a shelter available at Marietta First Baptist Church (2936 Geer Highway, Marietta, SC). Affected roads include Table Rock Road, Caesars Head Highway, and Pumpkin Lane, among others. The fire’s northward push has also triggered evacuations in Transylvania County, North Carolina, with shelters relocated to the Recreation Department at 1078 Ecusta Road.
No new evacuation orders were issued on March 27, but existing ones remain active, particularly east of the Table Rock Fire. Table Rock State Park has shut down all trails, campgrounds, and day-use areas indefinitely, and heavy smoke has made driving hazardous along Highway 11.

Firefighting Efforts

A robust response is underway, with 148 firefighters deployed via SC State Fire, backed by aerial support including SC National Guard Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, SLED helicopters, and a historic very large air tanker (VLAT) drop on March 27—the first of its kind in South Carolina. Crews have made some headway, connecting containment lines on the southern front and conducting controlled burnouts to reduce fuel. However, forecasted low humidity (23%) and wind gusts up to 30 mph on March 28 threaten to intensify fire activity overnight.
A Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) will take over command on March 28 to streamline operations, with additional hand crews arriving to build firelines. Governor Henry McMaster’s state of emergency declaration on March 22, paired with a statewide burn ban, remains in effect to prioritize firefighting resources.

Current Conditions and Outlook

While milder weather on March 27 allowed some progress on firebreaks, the situation remains precarious. No injuries or structural losses have been reported, but the fire’s proximity to residential areas keeps the threat level high. With winds picking up and humidity dropping, officials expect heightened fire behavior into March 28.

Donations

You can also bring items to the Walhalla City Fire Department as well, here is a list of items needed:
UPDATED LIST OF NEEDED ITEMS
With an average of of 400 first responders working the Table Rock Complex Fire, this is an updated list
Please bring all items by WALHALLA FIRE DEPARMENT BY NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 28 2025!
207 E North Broad ST, Walhallalla, SC
Gold Bond
Mole Skin
Safety Glasses/Goggles
Bandanas
Duct Tape
Super Glue
Mouthwash (Travel Size)
Dude Wipes
Brown Lunch bags (#12)
Little Debbie Cakes
Napkins
Protein Rich Snacks
Eye Drops
Nasal Spray
Dry Mouth Lozenges
Liquid IV/Electrolyte Packets
We are BEYOND thankful for all of the needed items the community has brought so far!!

Stay Informed

Residents should stay tuned to the South Carolina Forestry Commission and local news for real-time updates, as conditions could shift quickly. For now, the Table Rock Fire continues to test the resilience of Upstate communities and the dedication of the crews battling to contain it.

A while back the citizens experienced an odd situation with their water. The water had turned brown. The matter was looked into and it was determined to have turned brown due to the heat that had hit the area. One city councilman Grant Keehn started speculating that it was all about the age of the water system, and that rumor took off in the community spreading like wildfire.

Here is a reply from the City of Walhalla from the Mayor Tim Hall about the water.

According to our water experts, last summer’s discolored water was caused by the temperatures which caused excess amounts of iron and magnesium to come into our water system through our Lake Keowee water source. Since then, our water plant has installed a monitoring system, which goes beyond SC DHEC requirements, to detect such a situation should it happen again, and give our water plant operators advance warning to take remedial action.
The city awarded $10 million in grant-funded water and sewer projects over the last few months and completed another $2.2 million water project on Highway 11 in late summer of last year. There is more to do. An in-house estimate put our water and sewer upgrade needs at $30 million. We are actively seeking additional grant funding for these projects.
 
I invite you to take a look at the comprehensive Water and Sewer Action Plan council adopted in August (by a 5-1 vote)
Some Walhalla citizens and water customers had lingering questions about previous city actions related to our water system, and we compiled answers to their questions in the link below (many of these issues predate our current administration): https://www.cityofwalhalla.com/wp-content/uploads/faqs.pdf
 
Citizens and water customers can find much more information (including water quality reports) at the Walhalla Public Utilities website: https://www.cityofwalhalla.com/departments/public-utilities/
https://www.cityofwalhalla.com/wp-content/uploads/walhalla-water-strategy.pdf

At last week’s meeting on this, our utilities director estimated around $10.5 million in needs (I will need to check on the exact amount) over the next 12 months, with the majority paid by grants. The city would be responsible for up to $650,000, but could be less. Estimates for upgrading the entire system are now $19-25 million over the next 10 years. Those are rough estimates and subject to change until we can get a third party report on it

As always, I invite anyone with additional concerns or this or any other city matter to contact me directly by email at thall@cityofwalhalla.com or by phone at 864-710-6848