Carolina Forest wildfire over 50% contained on seventh day
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - The massive Carolina Forest wildfire is now over halfway contained going into day seven of its burn.
FIRST ALERT | Temperature up and downs this weekend, rain chances increase Sunday
HCFR said the plan of attack is still fire line break reinforcement, wetting the ground and deploying sprinklers as needed.
Cold temperatures could also bring back smoky conditions in a few spots, especially across Carolina Forest. HCFR said that smoke will continue to linger during the duration of the wildfire.
HCFR said the rain the county saw Wednesday did help against the fire.
The WMBF News First Alert Weather Team said our next rain chance is Sunday night and into Monday.
Horry County has not reported any injuries or homes lost as a result of the fire as of now.
Here are the latest updates and information on the fire:
HORRY COUNTY WARNS AGAINST MORE BURNING
In a Friday afternoon update, Horry County Fire Rescue again warned against any open burning heading into the weekend.
“With resources and energy levels currently stretched, the last thing HCFR needs to do is focus on another large-scale incident outside of the Carolina Forest wildfire,” the agency said. “There is a burn ban in Horry County. Do not engage in open burning until the ban until conditions improve and the ban has been lifted. This will be strictly enforced by Horry County Police Department, which has been instrumental during this wildfire incident, helping HCFR and assisting apparatus get in and out of neighborhoods for response.”
MORE HELP ARRIVES
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said an incident management team from the Florida Forest Service ed its personnel Friday to help sur the wildfire.
The 28-member team was required to provide additional resources. The SCFC also said of its personnel from out of town are being allowed to go home “where fire prevention and suppression is still needed.”
SEN. GRAHAM, REP. FRY COME TO HORRY COUNTY
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham came to Horry County on Friday to speak to the media about the wildfire. Rep. Russell Fry, who represents the area as part of the 7th Congressional District, ed him.
The two received a briefing on the wildfires before speaking to the media.
Graham said that he couldn’t believe the damage wasn’t worse, calling the fire teams “absolutely rockstars.”
Fry agreed and spoke on how first responders worked under incredible pressure and heat.
Meanwhile, South Carolina District 56 State Rep. Tim McGinnis said that in light of the fire, he will be proposing stricter penalties for burning debris, which is the main cause of wildfires in South Carolina.
This is also what officials said led to the Carolina Forest wildfire and the arrest of a woman.
Click here for more on the news conference.
WOMAN CHARGED WITH STARTING WILDFIRE
The South Carolina Forestry Commission announced it charged a woman on Thursday with starting the massive wildfire.
Alexandra Bialousow is accused of starting a fire to burn debris on March 1 in a backyard fire pit close to a tree line in the Covington Lakes community.
She was granted and posted bond Friday.
Click here for more information on her arrest.
HOTEL RATES
Landmark Resort and hotel BLUE are extending their special rates for those impacted by the wildfire in Carolina Forest.
The special rate will last through March 13, which is next Thursday.
FIRE NOW 55% CONTAINED, FORESTRY COMMISSION SAYS
In its latest update, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said the wildfire is now 55% contained and remains at 2,059 acres.
HCFR showed drone footage of the wildfire’s surface area and surveyed the status of the damage.
SCFC’S MAP
The agency shared its latest map Thursday night, showing where the fire is contained, indicated by the black lines.
It’s important to that contained does not mean extinguished; rather, it means firefighters have created a barrier around 55% of the fire, and it will not spread quickly.
As for the map, SCFC spokesperson Russell Hubright explained that the red lines don’t necessarily mean the fire is active and moving in those areas.
“It [the red lines] means that we’re not as confident that the fire will stay right where it is versus black areas... we’re pretty confident it will if that makes sense,” Hubright said. “We’re hoping that it all stays right where it is.”
HORRY, GEORGETOWN COUNTIES REMAIN UNDER BURN BAN
The SCFC announced Wednesday it was lifting a statewide burn ban for all but two counties.
Horry and Georgetown counties will be under the burn ban until further notice.
The agency cited the Carolina Forest wildfire and a separate wildfire near Highway 90 as reasons to keep the ban active in Horry County. Regarding Georgetown County, the SCFC said, “the ongoing potential risk to residential areas from a contained, but uncontrolled, wildfire continues to require full ” from first responders.
The statewide ban was issued Saturday after an outbreak of fires over the weekend, which included the Carolina Forest wildfire.
CHECKPOINTS/INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
The Horry County Police Department announced Thursday morning that it is no longer manning checkpoints at neighborhoods by the wildfire. However, the department said it remains staffed and ready to help the Carolina Forest community and first responder activities.
Horry County officials reopened the closed sections of International Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Part of the road had been blocked off to public traffic since Saturday.
“Community can resume using International Drive,” the county said in an announcement. “However, we ask that drivers maintain situational awareness as public safety personnel and apparatus will still be active in the area.”
The county also noted that other closures may be necessary should conditions change.
DRONE IMAGES/VIDEO
Horry County officials released new drone video Wednesday showing the view from above as first responders continued battling the wildfire in the area of Tuckahoe Road.
The county also provided more new images captured by drones from Wednesday’s efforts once storms rolled out.
Over 15 new images from earlier in the week were also made public for the first time on Wednesday.
FIRST RESPONSE
Horry County Fire Rescue spokesperson Tony Casey told WMBF News that the agency’s first report of what became the wildfire came Saturday when a neighbor reported a fire behind a house.
He clarified later Monday that the first report doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve pinpointed the cause of the fire. Those details remain under investigation.
“Until the fire is out, we encourage folks to steer clear of speculation and focus on staying safe,” Horry County said.
WMBF received new videos from a South Carolina Forestry member inside a dozier for the initial response to the wildfire.
Over 500 first responders have descended on the county to help with the fire.
EVACUATIONS
WMBF News received a dramatic and terrifying video of one family evacuating their home in Walkers Woods early Sunday morning.
Footage from a Ring doorbell camera at The Reserves at Walker Woods also shows intense flames in the area.
Residents under the evacuation order were allowed to head back home Sunday afternoon. The order impacted around seven neighborhoods in Carolina Forest.
MORE INFORMATION | Residents evacuated from Carolina Forest wildfire allowed to return home
On Monday, one homeowner near Tuckahoe Road showed WMBF News their melted home after the fire.
“I had to get out when I saw the flames so high that is scared me to death. I’ve got that imprinted in my mind. The flames were right here, and the heat, oh, forget it. I grabbed what we had and we hauled butt. We had to get out of here,” said Bill Oconnor, who had to evacuate.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said if able, you can help put small flames out by simply spraying your yard with a water hose.
On Monday, residents like Oconnor were putting out active hot spots in their backyard.
“You could have cut through the smoke with a pair of scissors. That’s how thick it was. You have to be vigilant. You can’t just run away. This is your home. You have to take care of it. Look I got the hoses out here.”
CAROLINA FOREST REC CENTER
The Red Cross shelter at Carolina Forest Recreation Center is now closed. The county said 18 people elected to stay there Sunday night, but the facility will now be used “for wildfire response operations for public safety agencies in the meantime.”
According to a Red Cross official, the Red Cross remains at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center and will set up shop if evacuations happen again.
Any residents who need help can the Red Cross at 843-477-0020.
AERIAL RESPONSE
The South Carolina National Guard said it had completed over 520 water drops in Horry County, delivering around 602,820 gallons of water over 69 flight hours by the end of the day Tuesday.
An official with the South Carolina National Guard also said that the agency’s aviation resources enhance that state’s ability to protect lives and property.
The agency shared this video showing an aerial view of a water drop in Horry County.
SEND YOUR PHOTOS
If you have images from the wildfire, including any air coming in, you can send them to us below. We just ask that you capture any footage safely!
Stay with WMBF News for updates.
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