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*updated 6:30 p.m.*

TRYON—A brush fire that spread rapidly on Saturday, March 1, has now burned approximately 593 acres between Tryon and Saluda and was 63% contained as of Monday evening, according to Jeremy Waldrop with the North Carolina Forest Service.

NCFS have conducted back-burning operations to control the 3910 Fire in the areas of Bear Creek Rd., Hanging Rock Rd., Ocean View Ln., and on U.S. Highway 176 near Tau Rock Vineyard Ln. Over a hundred firefighters from multiple counties have worked to keep the fire contained.

All evacuations have been lifted except for residents on U.S. Highway 176 from 3000 to 3910.

Crews monitored the fire lines overnight and have continued efforts to protect structures and control the blaze.

“Additional out-of-county crews are working tonight, and more will be here tomorrow to assist with the fire operations,” said Emergency Management Director Bobby Arledge. “Crews will be wrapping up back-burn operations for the day soon and will resume tomorrow.”

Arledge also addressed rumors that the fire had crossed to the southern side of U.S. Highway 176, explaining that the fire had not jumped to the “river side of the road.” 

“The fire remains on the right side of 176 going towards Saluda,” he said. 

An emergency shelter at the Polk County Senior Center in Columbus was available for anyone affected by the fire but was set to close at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Officials asked residents to continue to avoid the fire area so crews could continue to work safely. Harmon Field was closed to all visitors on Saturday and is currently being used as a staging area for emergency personnel. 

Trent Duncan with the North Carolina Forest Service said that the cause of the fire is believed to be due to a tree that fell into power lines. The entire region has experienced dry, windy conditions, and a Burn Ban is currently in effect for Polk County and all of South Carolina.

No injuries or structure fires have been reported as a result of the 3910 Fire. The Tryon Daily Bulletin will provide more updates as they become available.