Latest news with #CovingtonDriveFire
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Smoke from wildfire flare-ups still plague Myrtle Beach area 7 weeks after flames began
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.– South Carolina residents in Myrtle Beach and Carolina Forest awoke to thick smoke this week from flare-ups from a wildfire that began nearly seven weeks ago. The Covington Drive Fire began in Horry County on March 1. It quickly spread to over 2,000 acres, prompting evacuations for dozens of residents. Horry County Fire Rescue and the South Carolina Forestry Commission battled the blaze for weeks, eventually reaching 90% containment. Hot spots, caused by deep, smoldering pocks of embers, have continued popping up in the weeks since the fire started, causing smoke to move in and out of nearby communities. A photo from Friday morning in Myrtle Beach showed how the smoke is impacting some areas. A house across the street, normally visible, was completely hidden by smoke. Carolinas Likely Face Wildfire Problems 'For The Next Several Years' After Helene, Official Says Horry County Fire Rescue warned residents that smoke could be an issue over the next several weeks, especially in the early mornings. A photo posted by Horry County Fire Rescue on Wednesday showed the smoke as the sun rose: As to why fires like the Covington Drive Fire smolder for so long, the South Carolina Forestry Commission says the saturated nature of soils in the Carolina Bay doesn't allow oxygen, making it take longer for dry vegetation and such to break down. Then, as moisture levels go down in the soil, it dries out and becomes similar to the tobacco inside a cigar, said Roy Holt, a Black River forester with the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The fire continues to smolder, burning deeper and deeper as the soil becomes exposed to oxygen. Horry Corry Fire Rescue said these hot spots will likely continue until the area receives significant enough rainfall to fully contain and extinguish the article source: Smoke from wildfire flare-ups still plague Myrtle Beach area 7 weeks after flames began
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Horry County, state officials lift burn bans but urge continued caution with outdoor fires
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Outdoor burning is once again allowed in Horry County and across South Carolina after local and state authorities lifted a ban that had been in place in some areas for more than a month because of a threat of wildfires. Horry County officials and the South Carolina Forest Commission lifted the ban at noon on Wednesday while reminding residents that they still must follow local and state burning laws. 'Even when the burn ban is not in place, we ask for consideration and due diligence when actively involved in open burning,' the county said. 'Always remember to lean on the side of safety, and do not burn in windy or dry conditions.' Horry County's ban was initiated in late March before the start of the Covington Drive Wildfire in Carolina Forest, which has continued to smolder. The Forestry Commission lifted its statewide ban on Monday but kept it in place in Horry and five other counties until Wednesday's announcement that outdoor burning could resume. County officials said that even though open burning is legal again, people still must contact the South Carolina Forestry Commission at 800-986-5404 before starting to burn. The county has more information about rules and regulations on its website. The Forestry Commission initiated the statewide ban on March 21 because of dangerously low relative humidity and gusty winds. Improved weather conditions led to the ban being lifted. 'Tremendous progress has been made on containing the two wildfires making up the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties, which will allow the release of resources to return to their home units for response to new wildfire ignitions,' the Forestry Commission said on Wednesday. 'The Table Rock Complex and the Covington Drive Fire continue to be monitored using local resources. Officials also warned that conditions could change. 'Underlying conditions still warrant the need to be extremely vigilant when burning outdoors, as above-average fire danger and activity is expected through April, which has historically seen the worst, most damaging and costly wildfires in South Carolina,' the Foresty Commission said. 'Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.' In Horry County, authorities have charged Alexandra Bialousow, 40, in connection with the Covington Drive fire. State officials allege that she failed to use proper precautions to prevent a March 1 debris burn in her backyard from escaping. The fire eventually covered 2,059 acres. Four teens were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly starting a wildfire at Table Rock State Park on March 21. The fire began while Pickens County deputies were searching for Stephanie Womacks, a hiker who was last seen on March 3. The fires across the state also prompted a Myrtle Beach lawmaker to lead for sticker penalties for those who violate public burning rules and regulations. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Horry County remains under burn ban, 41 other counties lifted
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Horry County is one of five across the state that will not see its burn ban lifted, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said Sunday. The State Forester's Burning Ban will be lifted for 41 counties. The five who will not see this lift include Horry, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg. Those counties will remain under the burn ban until further notice. The ban in Horry County remains in place while the Forestry Commission resources continue to focus their efforts on mop-up and strengthening firebreaks around the Covington Drive Fire, which is now 85% contained. Crews continue to put out flare-ups in Carolina Forest wildfire 'Burning bans are not intended to be extended, much less permanent, solutions to wildfires,' SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones said. 'Prescribed burns in particular are necessary tools for forestry and agriculture, but we can't emphasize enough the importance of using fire prudently and respecting the weather.' The Forestry Commission also said that the amount of personnel and equipment that is dedicated to the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties, which includes two wildfires that have grown to a combined 13,000-plus acres, has potential to strain the capacity of local response to new wildfire ignitions. The lifted ban in the other 41 counties comes from the improvement of low relative humidity and gusty winds since the March 21 burning ban. These conditions are expected to ease significantly across the state over the next week, the Forestry Commission said. Underlying conditions still warrant extreme caution when burning outdoors, the commission said. Above-average fire danger and activity is expected through April, which has historically seen the worst, most damaging and costly wildfires in South Carolina. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
South Carolina officials warn about fire season as state battles multiple blazes
The aftereffects of Hurricane Helene are still being felt in South Carolina as downed trees and vegetation fuel wildfires in the state, officials said in a news briefing on Friday. There are currently three large fires burning in South Carolina: the Table Rock Fire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire and the Covington Drive Fire near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Forestry Commission state forester Scott Phillips said during the briefing. A burn ban is in effect in the state. The Table Rock Fire and the Persimmon Ridge Fire, referred to collectively as the Table Rock Complex, have burned a combined 10,672 acres and are 0% contained, Phillips said. The Covington Drive Fire is "still very active" but is 85% contained after burning just over 2,050 acres, Phillips said. Neither fire has burned any structures, and no fatalities have been reported, Phillips said. The South Carolina National Guard has been deployed to fight the Table Rock fires, Brigadier General Rob Stillwell said in the news briefing, and is using aviation assets to respond to the blazes. The National Guard has dropped 612,000 gallons of water across 557 water drop missions, Stillwell said. Helicopter rescue teams are also ready to "assist any distressed firefighters or citizens in the impacted area," he said. Meanwhile, 550 firefighters and 96 apparatus, including fire engines, brush trucks and special utility vehicles, have been deployed from local agencies, South Carolina State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones said. An active start to wildfire season March has been an active month for fires in the state, Phillips said. There have been 373 wildfires reported in South Carolina this month. Neighboring North Carolina has recorded over 1,300 fires so far in March, according to the N.C. Forest Service. "We are just at the beginning of our wildfire season here in South Carolina. We're 28 days in, we haven't even made it to April 1 yet," Phillips said. He added that April is when the state typically sees the most wildfires. Weather conditions do not seem to be letting up, Phillips said. The state is currently extremely dry, with low humidity and high winds, he said. Wildfire conditions will remain through April and "potentially into May." "This is going to be a long season for us as we move forward," Phillips said. Hurricane Helene debris fuels flames South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said that the fires have been worsened by the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene, which devastated the region in September 2024. The hurricane and heavy rain knocked down a lot of trees and vegetation, he said. Clearing the fallen brush away has been difficult. The fallen vegetation has become fuel for the blaze, he said. "We've never had a fire quite like this," McMaster said. The effects of Hurricane Helene have also caused access issues in some areas, Phillips said. Some areas that are burning are inaccessible because of downed trees and debris, and some fire breaks that need to be readjusted can't be easily reached. Phillips said that even once this year's fire season settles down, the issues caused by Hurricane Helene will linger. "Likely it's going to change the way we have to attack fires in the mountains of South Carolina and in the Hurricane Helene-impacted areas," he said. Hegseth reacts to Atlantic releasing his Signal texts to Trump team detailing Yemen bombing Hegseth doubles down on Signal chat texts not being "war plans" Deadly earthquakes rock Myanmar, Thailand
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
South Carolina officials warn about fire season as state battles Table Rock wildfire, more blazes
The aftereffects of Hurricane Helene are still being felt in South Carolina as downed trees and vegetation fuel wildfires in the state , officials said in a news briefing on Friday. There are currently three large fires burning in South Carolina: the Table Rock Fire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire and the Covington Drive Fire near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Forestry Commission state forester Scott Phillips said during the briefing. A burn ban is in effect in the state. The Table Rock Fire and the Persimmon Ridge Fire, referred to collectively as the Table Rock Complex, have burned a combined 10,672 acres and are 0% contained, Phillips said. The Covington Drive Fire is "still very active" but is 85% contained after burning just over 2,050 acres, Phillips said. Neither fire has burned any structures, and no fatalities have been reported, Phillips said. The South Carolina National Guard has been deployed to fight the Table Rock fires, Brigadier General Rob Stillwell said in the news briefing, and is using aviation assets to respond to the blazes. The National Guard has dropped 612,000 gallons of water across 557 water drop missions, Stillwell said. Helicopter rescue teams are also ready to "assist any distressed firefighters or citizens in the impacted area," he said. Meanwhile, 550 firefighters and 96 apparatus, including fire engines, brush trucks and special utility vehicles, have been deployed from local agencies, South Carolina State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones said. March has been an active month for fires in the state, Phillips said. There have been 373 wildfires reported in South Carolina this month. Neighboring North Carolina has recorded over 1,300 fires so far in March, according to the N.C. Forest Service . "We are just at the beginning of our wildfire season here in South Carolina. We're 28 days in, we haven't even made it to April 1 yet," Phillips said. He added that April is when the state typically sees the most wildfires. Weather conditions do not seem to be letting up, Phillips said. The state is currently extremely dry, with low humidity and high winds, he said. Wildfire conditions will remain through April and "potentially into May." "This is going to be a long season for us as we move forward," Phillips said. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said that the fires have been worsened by the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene , which devastated the region in September 2024. The hurricane and heavy rain knocked down a lot of trees and vegetation, he said. Clearing the fallen brush away has been difficult. The fallen vegetation has become fuel for the blaze, he said. "We've never had a fire quite like this," McMaster said. The effects of Hurricane Helene have also caused access issues in some areas, Phillips said. Some areas that are burning are inaccessible because of downed trees and debris, and some fire breaks that need to be readjusted can't be easily reached. Phillips said that even once this year's fire season settles down, the issues caused by Hurricane Helene will linger. "Likely it's going to change the way we have to attack fires in the mountains of South Carolina and in the Hurricane Helene-impacted areas," he said.
