MORTLE BEACH, S.C. — Lighterwind on Monday helped crews from South Carolina and North Carolina fight wildfires that caused evacuation over the weekend and threatened hundreds of homes.
Hundreds of firefighters across South Carolina were unable to maintain a big flame in Holly County near Myrtle Beach despite social media videos of nightly orange skies and flame-envelope flames. Volunteers distributed water and food cases to firefighters who worked long hours to protect their homes and other structures.
“We are extremely proud of our first responders,” said Rick Vines, a plumber who helped the volunteers with their efforts. “And we wanted them to be just how proud we were by making sure they had what they needed so they could come here and focus on being here.”
The fire burned at 2.5 square miles, including about 30% on Monday evening, according to Holly County Fire Rescue. The department deployed drones and ground crews to respond to flare-up fires, strengthened breaklines and set up a portable sprinkler system.
A nearby 2009 wildfire caused $42 million in damage and destroyed around 75 homes, making it the largest fire in the area.
All South Carolina officials have banned almost all outdoor fires, including burning garden debris and campfires. They told residents to call 911 if they saw their neighbors causing a fire.
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“You can go to prison to launch a fire outdoors in South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster wrote on social media.
Burn bans were also in place in western North Carolina. Some Polk County residents remained evacuated from their homes Monday morning to help firefighters set their own flames to burn possible wildfire fuel, facilitating a 480-acre fire with about 30% contained.
Polk County is in the vicinity of an area that was hit badly by Hurricane Helen last year. Uncut fallen trees increase the risk of fires throughout the region.
In eastern North Carolina, nearly 80 small wildfires have been reported in Robson County. Emergency authorities said 15 structures were damaged but did not give details on the type of building.
The North Carolina Forest Service reported more than 200 wildfires statewide on Monday, but almost all of them were small and not threatening the structure.
Carolina officials warned that the air quality was poor due to the smoke.
In winters that were drier than normal winters, cold weekend fronts moved through the area, bringing strong winds without the usual rain associated with the southern weather system, increasing the risk of fire.
The area near Myrtle Beach is one of the most dangerous areas in South Carolina. If hundreds of years of vegetation produces peat, it can burn for a long time when it dries.
Pine trees and other waxy vegetation provide fuel for rapid fire spreading in dry, windy conditions.
Horry County’s population has doubled to 400,000 over the past 25 years. Many of these newcomers have moved to a rapidly constructed neighborhood right next to the oval Carolina Bay, where peat and flammable vegetation all grow together. Fire has been part of the natural landscape of the Bay for centuries.
Authorities have not stated that it caused the fire.
By Erik Verduzco
