Staff Writer: Akshit Bagga
Email: abagga@umassd.edu
Multiple wildfires in both South and North Carolina and in Japan have burned down thousands of acres of land, killing at least one.
North and South Carolina Wildfires
What began as a small blaze in the state of South Carolina quickly escalated into a destructive wildfire, burning thousands of acres of land. Meanwhile, a separate brush fire destroyed parts of North Carolina.
A garden fire, which was first reported on March 1 in the Myrtle Beach area, erupted and burned down more than 2,000 acres in South Carolina. Reports suggested that at one point, there were at least 175 active wildfires near the Myrtle Beach area.
While the first responders and rescue crews continue to contain them, dry weather conditions and gusty winds are fueling these forest fires. Residents have been ordered to evacuate.
The National Weather Service has warned that dry fuels and low humidity environments will continue to intensify these fires.
Although no casualties have been reported, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency and implemented a statewide ban on outdoor fires.
A 40-year-old woman identified as Alexandra Bialousow has been charged and arrested for igniting a fire at her Covington Drive home fire pit, which later turned into a tragedy for the Carolinas. Bialousow was charged with negligently allowing the fires to spread to neighboring land and of starting a fire unlawfully without taking proper precautions.
Commenting on the arrest, the South Carolina forestry commission said, “According to the arrest warrant, the suspect did not have an appropriate water source readily available, nor did she have any garden tools on hand to control the fire, thus allowing the fire to spread to land owned by Walker Woods HOA.”
Meanwhile, in the state of North Carolina, a brush fire in Polk County near the town of Tryon, burned down hundreds of acres. Reports suggest that at least 500 acres of land have been blazed by these fires.
On March 3rd, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “The brave men and women of the U.S. Forest Service began responding immediately to the fires in the Carolinas; we will ensure they have the resources, personnel, and support they need to swiftly put out the fires.”
Japan Wildfires
In Japan, one of the worst wildfires in its history broke out in the coastal city of Ofunato before engulfing its surrounding forest region.
The initial fire consumed at least 2,900 hectares (7,165 acres—around half the size of Manhattan) and destroyed more than 200 buildings.
While the fire that began on February 26th has now been contained, it charred 9% of Ofunato city. One person was killed in the fires, and more than 4,600 people were ordered to evacuate.
The wildfires have destroyed a least 76 homes and damaged more than 108 nonresidential complexes and 102 residential buildings.
Japan’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has classified these wildfires as a “disaster of extreme severity.” Ofunato’s mayor, Kiyoshi Fuchigami, said, “Following an aerial survey, we assessed that the fire no longer posed the risk of further spread. I declare that the fire is now under control.”
In recent years, changing environmental conditions have intensified the occurrence of wildfires. Experts also warn that wind gusts, dry weather, and global warming contribute to the chances of small fires escalating into destructive wildfires. The recent massive wildfires in Los Angeles that began on January 7 and engulfed more than 57,000 acres of land, killing 9 and forcing 200,000 people to evacuate, was fueled due to a shift in weather conditions. While the LA wildfire was contained nearly after a month of burning, reports suggest that capital losses ranged from $76 billion to $131 billion.