PICKENS COUNTY, SC – The South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) has arrested three young men in connection with the Table Rock wildfire, which forced evacuations and burned through state park land.
Suspects Identified & Charges
The suspects have been identified as:
Tristan William Tyler, 18
Isaac David Wilson, 18
Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19
They are facing charges of arson and negligently allowing fire to spread to lands of another after authorities linked them to the March 21 wildfire.
A juvenile suspect was also charged but was released to their parents instead of being booked.
How the Fire Started
According to investigators, the suspects were smoking on a hiking trail but failed to properly extinguish their cigarettes.
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office officials said first responders discovered the wildfire while searching for a missing hiker. The rescue team eventually evacuated seven hikers, questioning several of them about the fire’s origin.
Following an investigation, detectives determined the fire began due to the suspects’ negligence.
Impact on the Community
The wildfire led to evacuations, with some residents forced to leave their homes for nearly a week.
Pickens County resident Michael David Goldsmith, whose home was caught between the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires, said the situation was terrifying:
“It’s really scary. I know it was probably just an accident. They probably didn’t have malicious intent, but some justice needs to come out of this.”
Legal Consequences & Bond
A magistrate set bond at $7,500 for each of the three adult suspects, which they paid before being released from the Pickens County Detention Center.
If convicted, they face a misdemeanor sentence of:
5 to 30 days in jail OR
A fine between $25 and $200
