17-04-2025
‘It's suffocating': Smoke continues to impact residents and wildlife in Carolina Forest after recent flare-ups
CAROLINA FOREST, S.C. (WBTW) — After the recent acre-wide flare-up of the Covington Drive wildfire, Carolina Forest residents say the smoke continues to be a problem for their daily lives– even impacting their jobs and physical health.
Amazon delivery driver Hannah Ethier said picking up morning shifts has been difficult with the looming heavy smoke in the early hours of the day. She said even as early as 3 a.m., smoke will blanket her routes.
'Going down (Highway) 31 sometimes it's smoky. Going down Carolina Forest most of the time it's smoky, especially in those early morning hours,' Ethier said. 'And even with my recirculation is on in my car, I can still smell it. It's like it's suffocating you,' she said.
Those living on Covington Drive said the smoke has lingered so long they've almost become immune to the smell. Michele Easton said she's fortunate the smoke isn't taking a huge toll on her health, worries for her neighbors three-year-old grandson Kyle Easton Reyes.
'Just two nights ago, my three-year-old grandson had to be taken into emergency for a breathing apparatus because he has asthma' she said. 'So I know the smoke is truly detrimental for those suffering with lung conditions, heart conditions.'
Easton said not only does she worry about recent sparking about flare ups and making smoke continue to linger, but also the safety of drivers like Ethier
'As soon as I look out my front window, I can see the boulevard that's covered. There were some mornings where I saw the school busses coming in and said, I have no idea why, because it's dangerous. It's definitely a dangerous situation,' she said.
South Carolina Forestry Commision officials said as the flare-ups continue, crews will monitor the area. They said as on the forest floors and dry conditions meet, flare-ups could continue.
'The most important thing for folks to know is that these flare-ups are way internal. They're not close to any homes. The fire is still 90% contained with 2,059 acres. And that hasn't changed for the last several weeks,' commission spokesman Russell Hubright said. 'So basically, it is the material out there.'
But as flare-ups continue and smoke lingers, local beekeepers say it's pushing out colonies from their natural habitats. Working for his Marci Honey Bee Farm LLC, Mike Marci has already removed ten hives from the Covington Drive area.
If flare-ups continue, Marci said, more bees will search for new homes in unconventional locations to stay safe.
Horry County Fire Rescue officials said the flare ups are anticipated to remain in the area but are being closely watched.
* * *
Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, 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.
