Latest news with #SouthCarolinaForestryCommission
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
16-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Covington Drive wildfire flare-ups still producing smoke in area
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Flare-ups from the Covington Drive wildfire in Carolina Forest are continuing to cause smoky conditions across parts of the Grand Strand. 'Smoldering fire mixed with wind and dry conditions are commonly producing hot spots within the fire lines and breaks,' Horry County Fire Rescue said Wednesday morning in a Facebook post. According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the 2,059-acre fire, which began on March 1, remains 90% contained. Despite the flare-ups, Horry County Fire Rescue said Wednesday morning that 'all structures remain well protected and that smoke, especially in the early morning, is likely to continue until the area receives a significant amount of rainfall. Horry County Fire Rescue and Forestry Commission crews are continuing work on the flare-ups to maintain containment. * * * 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
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials: Table Rock, Persimmon Ridge wildfires 100% contained
SOUTH CAROLINA (WSPA) — Two weeks and thousands of acres later, the Table Rock Complex fires have been fully to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the fires burned through 15,000 acres in Pickens and Greenville counties, as well as part of North Carolina. Officials said the fires were declared 100% contained Tuesday, after heavy rainfall passed through the Upstate on Monday. Much-needed rain helps with the Table Rock Complex fire The Table Rock wildfire initially started March 21, after four teens allegedly were hiking on a trail and did not put out their cigarettes. In total, the fire burned 13,845 acres. Firefighters gather in prayer as they continue to battle Upstate wildfires The Persimmon Ridge wildfire ignited in Greenville County on March forestry officials said the fire was 'human-caused,' but did not share more details about how the fire began. The fire burned a total of 2,128 acres. According to State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones, the Table Rock Complex fires led to the largest South Carolina Firefighter Mobilization since the program's start in 2000. Around one thousand firefighters were mobilized from across the state, along with nearly 400 vehicles, including engines, brush trucks, UTVs, and federal support. 'Resources remaining on the fires will continue to focus on suppression repair, which involves stabilizing exposed soil with seed and straw to prevent erosion and remove dirt and debris from stream crossings,' officials said. 'Water bars will also be installed on containment lines to divert surface water runoff back into the woods.' The fires will not be classified as 'controlled' until firefighting resources are no longer needed at the wildfire sites. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Table Rock Complex Fire nears complete containment
PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Crews have made significant progress on the Table Rock Complex fire, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC). On Thursday, crews confirmed both the Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County and the Table Rock Fire in Pickens County were nearing complete containment. Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County: Estimated to have burned more than 2,000 acres, 99% contained Table Rock Fire in Pickens County: Estimated to have stretched across more than 13,800 acres, 91% contained The Table Rock Fire, which officials said was sparked by three negligent teenagers and a minor, began on March 21. The Persimmon Ridge Fire, which the South Carolina Forestry Commission said was also human-caused, started on March 22. The fires combined have burned nearly 16,000 acres across Greenville and Pickens Counties, and crossed the state line into North Carolina. The two incidents were fueled early on by strong winds and dry conditions. However, crews said they reached a turning point this week. 'Thank goodness for rain,' said State Fire Marshal, Jonathan Jones. The weather, as Jones said, worked in crews' favor with containment efforts that grew stronger by the day. The rainfall was a critical factor that slowed the fire's spread and cooled many hot spots. While it didn't completely extinguish the fires, it provided much-needed relief, according to the SCFC. 'It's really kept the fire in check. It allowed Forestry crews to get out and solidify containment lines and make sure that there are no threats to the fire spreading,' said Jones. Although the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires remained active on Thursday, crews from the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported significant progress as they transitioned into a new phase of their response. 'We haven't quite controlled it yet. We're still in containment, suppression mode but now we're in suppression repair mode,' said Madeline Stewart with the South Carolina Forestry Commission. 'People driving through the area may have seen tracks where heavy equipment has been. We're working to cover up and repair areas that have been damaged. We are trying to leave this area as best we can.' The transition to suppression repair mode reflects a new stage of firefighting efforts, focused on restoring the environment and minimizing long-term damage caused by fire suppression activities. It's a demanding and time-consuming job, one that Stewart said could likely last for several weeks. Additional crews remained on standby to respond if needed, while some resources began to demobilize. The SCFC said firefighters continue to patrol more than 60 miles around the fire perimeter, extinguishing any active hot spots. 'Crews go in and feel with their bare hands for hot spots. We also use drone technology to sense hot spots and we go in and extinguish those,' said Stewart. State fire leaders said they gain new insights into how to handle future emergencies with each major incident. One recurring theme, according to Jonathan Jones, is the strength of South Carolina's fire service. 'Just how robust the South Carolina fire service is and their willingness for neighbors to help neighbors, regardless of the jurisdiction,' said Jones. Officials said the fires have led to the largest state Firefighter Mobilization since the program's inception in 2000. 'To see that many resources come across to help others, it's been a pretty impressive thing to watch,' said Chad Beam who's a part of the Emergency Response Task Force with South Carolina State Fire. The South Carolina Firefighter Mobilization Program allows the state to quickly deploy fire resources from various jurisdictions to respond to large-scale emergencies, such as wildfires, natural disasters, or other significant incidents, according to SC State Fire. A thousand firefighters were mobilized from across the state, along with nearly 400 vehicles, including engines, brush trucks, UTVs, and additional federal support. These valuable resources were used to tackle what is now the Upstate's largest fire in history. 'Every fire is unique, and we've needed every bit of expertise available. We are so grateful for the additional help,' said Stewart. The South Carolina Forestry Commission said their mop-up operations will continue until the fires are fully contained and completely under control. Meanwhile, officials have lifted all evacuation orders related to the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires. A portion of Table Rock State Park is expected to reopen on Monday, April 6. The timeline could change based on ongoing assessments of the park's trails and overall fire conditions. The SCFC said the cost of combating a fire of this magnitude is anticipated to exceed $1 million, covering expenses such as suppression efforts, infrastructure damage, the use of firefighting resources, and other related factors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
North Myrtle Beach firefighters talk about ‘cool' experience fighting Upstate wildfire
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Four North Myrtle Beach firefighters who recently returned home after helping fight the Table Rock fire in South Carolina's Upstate spoke with News13 about their experience. North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue deployed three crews between March 26 and Tuesday, with each crew spending two days in Pickens County. The firemen said they felt fortunate to help a different part of the state and make an impact. 'Not everyone gets to experience that in their career,' Chris McCarty said. 'So, it's cool.' Lt. Ryan Marrs said while the South Carolina Forestry Commission was working to fight the fire, North Myrtle Beach crews helped make sure it didn't reach residents and their homes. Marrs said the area was very rural, with houses far away from each other on dead-end roads along ridge lines. The firemen agreed working on that landscape was the hardest part of the job. 'They were very tight, dirt roads that you can't get a fire engine up,' McCarty said. 'So, you have to use smaller brush trucks, and ATVs, and foot crews.' Many people needed to evacuated their homes, and Marrs said one woman who left was 'frazzled' while trying to also protect her pets in the process. Just like Horry County when the Covington Drive fire in Carolina Forest initially broke out, Lt. Josh Beck says the Pickens County community came together to take care of first responders. 'The volunteers that were providing the food and snacks and everything like that, the ones that were manning the staging area, they were excellent,' Beck said. 'They couldn't have been nicer.' The firefighters' deployments were made possible by the 'South Carolina Firefighter Mobilization' plan. Whenever a fire department needs help, other departments across the state share their crews and resources. 'The brotherhood is alive and well for all of South Carolina,' Beck said. 'That's one of the great things about working in the state, is you can go anywhere and you're going to be amongst friends.' * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar 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.
