The governor of South Carolina in the United States has declared a state of emergency, while firefighters were battling 175 wildfires that erupted across South and North Carolina overnight amid windy and dry conditions, threatening homes and prompting evacuations.There are ongoing response operations to the sprawling wildfires that had burned a combined 4,200 acres across the state, including blazes burning in Horry, Spartanburg, Oconee, Union and Pickens counties, the South Carolina State Fire Marshal said.The quick-spreading fire had burned more than 1,600 acres by the end of the day and was threatening the communities of Walkers Woods and Avalon, according to the South Carolina Forest Commission.The fire was 30% contained, according to fire officials.The fires are due to a summer heat wave and drought affecting the southern part of South America due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, amid warnings from scientists that global warming increases the risk of natural disasters such as extreme heat and fires.
