Latest news with #SouthCarolinaForestCommission
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.
USA Today
02-04-2025
- USA Today
Cigarettes ignited large Table Rock fire in South Carolina, officials say
Cigarettes ignited large Table Rock fire in South Carolina, officials say Show Caption Hide Caption Wildfires blaze across Carolinas, forcing mandatory evacuations Wildfires blazed across the Carolinas, forcing mandatory evacuations. The cause of the fires is unknown. Three South Carolina men and a teenager were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of starting the largest mountain wildfire in state history, the South Carolina Forest Commission said. The teens were smoking on a hiking trail at Table Rock State Park on March 21 and did not properly extinguish their cigarettes, sparking the inferno, according to the state agency. The Pickens County Sheriff's Office said Nyzaire Jah-Neiz Marsh, 19, Isaac David Wilson, and Tristan William Tyler, both 18, and a minor, who was not identified, were charged with arson and negligently allowing a fire to spread. Data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission shows the Table Rock Fire has burned over 13,200 acres of land, making it the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina history. As of Tuesday, the wildfire was 30% contained. Recent rounds of heavy rainfall have helped firefighters battling the blaze by reducing fire activity at the burn site. The Table Rock Fire was one of several large wildfires that broke out across the Carolinas last month, straining firefighting resources as officials issued burn bans, evacuated neighborhoods and opened shelters. The downed trees and dry brush left over from Hurricane Helene fueled the blazes along with strong wind gusts and low humidity. Just east of the Table Rock Fire, the Persimmon Ridge Fire has burned over 2,000 acres of land and was 74% contained as of Tuesday, according to the forest commission, which said in an operational update that the fire "has ceased growth and will remain in its current footprint." The Table Rock Fire was discovered on March 21 while rescue crews searched for missing hiker Stephanie Womack. The search group evacuated seven hikers, including the teens, and questioned them about the origins of the fire. Marsh, Wilson and Tyler posted $7,500 bonds and were released. The juvenile was not booked and was released into his parent's custody. More: What to do after a wildfire? Here's what to do if your property is damaged
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Mysterious smoke plume spotted in Myrtle Beach and Conway area. Here's what's going on
A large debris fire created a highly visible plume of black smoke north of Myrtle Beach. The contained fire is at the Horry County Recycling Center and Landfill, 1886 S.C. 90, Conway, according to a Facebook post from Horry County Fire Rescue. It's not known what started the Sunday afternoon fire, Horry County spokesman Tony Casey wrote in a text to The Sun News. Due to dry and windy weather, Horry County, per the county's fire rescue, has been under a burn ban since March 20. People are prohibited from starting any outdoor fires. Many people shared images of the S.C. 90 smoke plume on social media. The posts comes as the Covington Drive fire continues to smolder in the Carolina Forest area. The fire, which is 2,059 acres and 80% contained, started at the beginning of March. At its worst, the flames moved into resident's backyards, and while no structures were burnt down, many sustained damage from the heat and smoke. Fortunately no lives were lost, The Sun News reported. The South Carolina Forest Commission arrested a Alexandra Bialousow on March 6 for allegedly starting the wildfire, although her lawyer said she is innocent and said the agency is using her as a 'scapegoat.'
