South Carolina’s Table Rock Fire: Teenagers Charged for Negligence as Blaze Burns Over 13,000 Acres

Three teenagers and a juvenile face charges for allegedly causing the wildfire by improperly extinguishing cigarettes, as containment efforts reach 30%.

The Table Rock Fire has burned over 13,000 acres across South Carolina and North Carolina since it began on March 21, 2025.
Three teenagers and a juvenile have been charged with negligently allowing the fire to spread, allegedly failing to extinguish cigarettes while hiking in Table Rock State Park.
The suspects, aged 18 and 19, were arrested on April 1, 2025, and released on $7,500 bonds; the juvenile was released to their parents.
The fire is now 30% contained, with recent rainfall significantly reducing fire activity and aiding firefighting efforts.
Over 1,400 homes and businesses were evacuated, and a multi-state response continues under a state of emergency declared by Governor Henry McMaster.