Crews from CSRA help battle massive South Carolina wildfire
CAROLINA FOREST, S.C. - Crews continue to battle major wildfires in South Carolina amid dry conditions, and some firefighters from the CSRA have ed the effort.
The biggest wildfire, in Carolina Forest, is continuing to grow, and local crews reached out to help battle the blaze that’s now claimed 2,059 acres of land is is 30% contained.
Three from the Williston Fire Department and the Barnwell County fire coordinator responded to Horry County for the fire – among 500 personnel who’ve descended on Horry County to help.
Officials say getting the fire 100% contained could take several days, and there’s concern that winds could pick up Tuesday. While rain in the forecast later this week could help, it also could create other safety concerns.
How CSRA has been affected by fire outbreak in recent days
While the CSRA hasn’t been as badly affected as much of South Carolina by an outbreak of wildfires in recent days, we’ve seen our share.
Williston Fire Department Station 7 posted on its Facebook , stating their crews arrived at 1 a.m. on Sunday.
The department says the request was made for two brush trucks and that once on the line, crews encountered high winds and walls on fire that were 50 to 60 feet high.
The two trucks were relieved at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon and returned home at 10 p.m. Sunday.
PHOTO GALLERY: FROM WILLISTON FIREFIGHTERS
“This was an incredible experience for our , and an amazing effort to be a part of. These fires are burning directly towards heavily populated neighborhoods and not a single home has been destroyed or any injuries reported,” the Facebook post shared.
HOW TO HELP
Red Cross: Financial donations needed
- The American Red Cross says it deployed crews within just a matter of hours over the weekend, setting up a temporary shelter trailer to assist anyone who needs it.
- While the Red Cross isn’t asking for supplies, it is seeking monetary donations.
- If you want to donate, visit https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html.
Hundreds of firefighters have come from across South Carolina to help battle the fire. Volunteers distributed cases of water and food to firefighters working long hours protecting homes and other structures.
“We’re very, very proud of our first responders,” said Rick Vines, a plumber who was helping with the volunteer effort. “And we wanted them to feel how proud we were by coming out here and stepping in and making sure they had what they needed so they could focus on what they were here to do.”
It was the biggest fire in the area since a 2009 wildfire nearby did $42 million in damage and destroyed about 75 homes.
The area near Myrtle Beach is one of the most dangerous for wildfires in South Carolina as hundreds of years of decomposing vegetation creates peat, which when it dries out can burn for a long time.
Pine trees and other waxy vegetation provide fuel for fires to rapidly spread in dry, windy conditions.
How do controlled burns impact CSRA’s air quality?
Prescribed fires can cause issues with air quality sometimes, but they are a net good for our area, experts say.
After hundreds of fires erupted over the weekend across South Carolina amid dry conditions, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency. This order s efforts to contain the wildfires, puts the state’s price gouging law into effect and states that a ban on outdoor burning shall remain in effect until further notice.
McMaster said the state of emergency “ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities from these wildfires, have the resources they need.”
With the state of emergency, South Carolina’s law against price gouging is now in effect.
The price gouging law is a general prohibition of unconscionable prices during times of disaster. Price gougers can be charged with a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or 30 days in jail.
Price gouging can be reported online at https://www.scag.gov/price-gouging/.
The burn ban was necessary, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
“The dangerous conditions we’re going to see over the next few days make a good portion of the state vulnerable to fires that can spread rapidly and be difficult to control,” said agency Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “These kinds of spring weather patterns are what make this time of year the traditional peak of our wildfire season.”
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