Mill Mountain Wildfire Update

Emergency services are combating a wildfire in Upstate South Carolina, an area experiencing dangerously arid conditions.

The U.S. Forest Service reports that firefighters are working to control the Mill Mountain Fire, a blaze spanning approximately 95 acres within the Chattooga River corridor on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Effective immediately, public access to the Burrells Ford campground, day use area, and Foothills Trail has been suspended until further notice. This closure impacts the trail section between the fisherman’s access at Big Bend Road and Burrells Ford campground.

Scott Krein, director of Oconee Emergency Management, says the U.S. Forest Service continues to use resources to stop the wildfire in this extreme dry period.

The Mill Mountain Fire was first identified on Nov. 4, 2023, and its cause is currently being investigated. Due to the challenging terrain and dry fuels, fire management personnel from Sumter National Forest anticipate the Mill Mountain Wildfire will continue to expand over the coming days.

Additional federal and state fire resources have been requested to aid in suppression efforts. The public is urged to avoid the area if possible and to reduce driving speeds to ensure the safety of emergency fire personnel. A fire prevention team has been assembled to assist state and federal officials in enhancing prevention efforts on public lands throughout the state.

For the latest conditions and updates on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests, please click here.