US President Donald Trump was seen playing golf at his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday as wildfires raged across North and South Carolina, prompting evacuations and emergency declarations, the Irish Star said.
Donald Trump Criticized Amid Wildfire Crisis
The report also brought to light the fact that the Donald Trump administration once held up wildfire prevention project funds started under his Democratic predecessor. This action could have stalled the efforts to forestall and control the catastrophic wildfires now raging in the Carolinas.
CNN says the Carolina Forest fire, roughly five miles north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, already has burned nearly 1,600 acres and was 30% contained on Sunday, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday to aid wildfire response efforts. A statewide burn ban remains in effect, with fire crews working tirelessly to contain the blaze near Myrtle Beach. Several neighborhoods have been evacuated, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.
The state-wide burn ban was instituted on Saturday in South Carolina following several wildfires. While numerous others have been contained since then, authorities say that the threat of fire remains elevated throughout the area, including along Wilmington, North Carolina, as well as Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina. The National Weather Service remains vigilant.
Wildfires in North and South Carolina
As of Sunday afternoon, the South Carolina Forestry Commission approximated that the wildfire had swept through about 1.9 square miles (4.9 sq km) with no total containment. Yet, the Associated Press quoted officials confirming that no buildings had been damaged, and there were no reported injuries.
County fire officials said that about 410 personnel had been sent to fight the fire. Those crews will stay on the scene until the fire is completely contained. Officials have advised Carolina Forest residents to remain ready with emergency supplies and evacuation routes if additional orders are given.
At the same time, in North Carolina, the US Forest Service indicated several fires raging over more than 400 acres (161.87 hectares) in four forests throughout the state. The biggest fire of about 300 acres (121.41 hectares) is located in Uwharrie National Forest, around 50 miles (80.47 km) east of Charlotte.