Why is gasoline so expensive in South Carolina?

By Emily CoyleMillerSenior writer and managing editor, The Washington PostGasoline prices in South Carolinas have soared for the second time in less than a year amid the wildfires raging in the state, with a new monthly average of $2.07 per gallon.

On Wednesday, the average price jumped by more than 50 cents to $2,079.20, with prices for the week of Sept. 14-21, the week before the wildfires, rising by nearly half a cent to $1,961.30.

Gasoline is a major part of the South Carolina economy.

South Carolina is one of five Southern states that rely heavily on the fuel.

The state has seen the largest number of wildfires since the summer of 2015, with more than 6,500 homes destroyed.