Largest fire in Upstate history?
All photos made March 26, 2025 near Table Rock Mountain and Pumpkintown, South Carolina. This one from Sassafras Mountain, since closed to the public because of the fire. Photos by Sean Rayford for Getty Images
A week after ignition, the Table Rock Complex fire grew to 8,679 acres and is expected to become the largest wildfire in South Carolina Upstate history. The 2016 Pinnacle Mountain fire burned nearly 11,000 acres in the same area in 2016 and firefighters are using some of the same breaks. Weather conditions were stable yesterday — but dry air and strong winds are expected to fuel the fire Friday into Saturday. Meteorologists forecast a slim chance of rain on Saturday — making way for greater chances of precipitation on Sunday and throughout the week.
Rocky Botton
A Very Large Air Tanker was implemented for the first time in state history on Thursday as 546 firefighters, 255 apparatus, and multiple agencies battled to protect lives and property.
The Table Rock and nearby Persimmon Ridge fires are 0% contained with no reported injuries. Sassafras Mountain has been closed to the public. Downed trees, a result of Hurricane Helene, has added an abundance of fuel to the landscape.
The largest fire in state history took place in Horry County in 1976. I’ll be returning to Pickens County on Saturday.
Near Pumpkintown, SC.
From Sassafras Mountain, where you can put one foot in North Carolina and the other in South Caroina
Near Pumpkintown, SC.
From Easley, SC.
Near Pumpkintown, SC.
Rocky Botton
If you’d like to learn more about photography, Sean offers online photography lessons.