TABLE ROCK, S.C. — Three teenagers have been charged in connection with a wildfire that has burned nearly 14,000 acres across South Carolina and North Carolina, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
The suspects — Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, of Taylors, S.C.; Tristan Tyler, 18, of Greenville, S.C.; and Isaac Wilson, 18, also of Greenville — were arrested on April 1 and charged with negligently allowing fire to spread to the lands or property of another, a misdemeanor. We have chose to not share their arrest photos as part of this story.
The charges stem from the March 21 ignition of the Table Rock Fire at Table Rock State Park in Pickens County. According to arrest warrants, the teens were smoking on a hiking trail and failed to properly extinguish their cigarettes. Forestry officials allege that this negligent behavior led to the fire’s outbreak.
A fourth individual, a juvenile, was also charged with the same offense and released into the custody of his parents.
The fire was first discovered by emergency responders conducting a search for a missing hiker. During the search, crews encountered a rapidly growing wildfire and began evacuating visitors from the park, including seven hikers. Officials later identified four of those individuals as persons of interest in the investigation.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire had burned more than 13,000 acres and was reported to be 30% contained. Firefighting crews from multiple states have been involved in response efforts. The fire prompted the evacuation of over 1,400 homes and businesses and led to a statewide burning ban issued by the Forestry Commission on March 21.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on March 22 to support the firefighting operations and protect communities in the affected areas.
Marsh, Tyler, and Wilson were booked into the Pickens County Detention Center and released on $7,500 bond each. If convicted, they could face up to 30 days in jail or a $200 fine.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
