PICKENS, S.C. – A search team looking for a missing hiker was forced to interrupt their crucial work due to a wildfire that erupted at Table Rock State Park, highlighting the risk faced by volunteers and law enforcement involved in such efforts. On March 21, deputies from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 units from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office were working diligently in the wilderness of Table Rock Mountain when the fire broke out, threatening their safety.
According to Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship, the deputies involved in the search narrowly escaped the flames. “Our deputies actually barely escaped the fire,” said Blankenship. “We’re very blessed that they were uninjured, but it was a very scary situation for them.” This alarming event cut short the search for the missing hiker, 34-year-old Stephanie Womacks, who had disappeared on the evening of March 3 while walking away from her campsite.
The search for Womacks has been ongoing for several weeks, with authorities employing various resources to locate her. However, the wildfire, ignited by two hikers, posed an imminent threat to the search teams. Sheriff Blankenship noted that the fire was the result of a “negligent act of some hikers that led to the forest fire.” This incident brought search efforts to a halt and triggered cancellations of a volunteer search party that was scheduled for March 22.
Womacks is described as 5 feet tall, weighing around 100 pounds, and was last seen wearing a brown hoodie and jeans when she went missing. Authorities continue to seek any information about her whereabouts and urge anyone with tips to contact the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at 864-898-5500.
The situation grew even more complex as authorities worked to contain the fire, which, as of Saturday morning, affected approximately 10 acres of land. More than 40 personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies have since joined efforts to fight the fire from both the ground and air. The fire has been confined to the top of Table Rock, with no evacuations expected, although trails and leisure areas such as Lake Oolenoy and Lake Pinnacle remain closed until further notice. South Carolina is currently under a statewide burning ban, complicating matters for fire management.
The ongoing investigation into the wildfire has resulted in questions directed at several individuals suspected of causing the blaze. Sheriff Blankenship stated that four teenagers have been identified and questioned concerning the fire, with potential charges pending against them. He emphasized the seriousness of their actions that ultimately led to this dangerous situation for both deputies and civilians alike.
As the fire rages on, the search for Womacks has become increasingly urgent. With the volunteer search party canceled and the search teams unable to continue their work safely, hope is dwindling but not extinguished. As the investigation unfolds, the plight of Womacks raises larger questions about safety and responsibility in outdoor recreational areas.
As the days pass, the community around Pickens is left to grapple with the reality of the missing hiker and the wildfires that plagued their region. Local officials are grateful that no one was injured during this incident, yet it serves as a reminder of how unpredictable nature can be and the importance of taking responsibility in shared outdoor spaces. The search for Stephanie Womacks isn’t just about finding an individual; it’s about addressing the broader issues of safety, negligence, and the impact of human activity on nature.
As volunteer organizations, sheriffs, and families rally together to support the efforts to locate Womacks, it’s essential to keep in mind how collective action and awareness can contribute significantly to community safety. “The young men that are responsible for the fire have been identified,” Sheriff Blankenship later reiterated, pointing towards the ongoing efforts to hold those accountable for their negligence.
In this tense and turbulent period, all eyes remain on the Table Rock region, where the search for a missing hiker intersects with the stark reality of wildfires, leaving the community anxiously hoping for a resolution in both cases.
