LIVE UPDATES: Carolina Forest blaze first reported as small fire in someone’s backyard, Horry County official says
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Check here for live updates on the wildfires going on in Carolina Forest and other areas of the Grand Strand and Pee Dee.
4:05 P.M. MONDAY
Two South Carolina National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk teams are conducting wildfire suppression missions Monday to help the state Forestry Commission and state Department of Natural Resources. Authorities also mobilized a CH-47 Chinook.
The state National Guard has delivered “nearly 60,000 gallons of water” over 18 flight hours.
3:35 P.M. MONDAY
An Horry County fire official says the Covington Drive Fire in Carolina Forest, which has covered 1,600 acres and is 30% contained, was initially reported Saturday afternoon as a small fire in someone’s backyard. The fire was first called in to dispatchers at 2:39 p.m.
In addition, a South Carolina Forest official told News13 Monday afternoon that a prescribed burn in the area last week was a “totally separate” incident and not connected to the fire that started Saturday afternoon.
The Forestry Commission will lead the investigation to determine the official cause of the fire. Click here to read the full story.
1:20 P.M. MONDAY
No cause for the Covington Drive fire is known yet, the South Carolina Forestry Commission told News13 on Monday. The commission did say, however, that an investigation will be conducted as with every fire.
News13 has asked Horry County Fire Rescue about a possible cause, but we have not heard back as of about 1:20 p.m.
1:15 P.M. MONDAY
Horry County public information officers will be available between 3 and 4 p.m. for a wildfire-related Q&A. News13’s Annette Peagler and Edward Moody will attend.
Officials also said Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner and public safety director Randy Webster will speak to wildfire operations at the council’s 6 p.m. meeting on Tuesday.
11:45 A.M. MONDAY
Horry County is under an air quality alert from the National Weather Service. It will be in effect until further notice.
The alert says “fine particulate concentrations within Horry County, particularly near Carolina Forest, may approach or exceed unhealthy standards due to local wildfire smoke in the Myrtle Beach area.”
Anyone with respiratory issues is advised to limit their time outdoors.
Graphic courtesy National Weather Service
11:40 A.M. MONDAY
The president of the Carolina Forest Homeowners Association credits the “incredible work” of first responders for ensuring that no lives or homes have been lost during the wildfires.
“Over the last 2 days, there have been many images of our beloved Carolina Forest out there with flames, smoke, and ash; but the real story is one of a community coming together,” Vinny Napolitano said. “Our first responders did an amazing job keeping our residents safe and informed. All residents are now home, and not a single structure or life was lost. And our community has jumped into action in every direction to support our neighbors and first responders by donating food, water, money, and prayers. It’s been an exhausting 48 hours, but Carolina Forest has shown it’s strength, heart, and sense of community.”
11:35 A.M. MONDAY
Conway Medical Center has not treated any patients with medical emergencies related to the wildfires, a spokesperson told News13 in an email.
11:10 A.M. MONDAY
As of about 10:40 a.m., more than a dozen fire departments were assisting Horry County Fire Rescue in battling the fire. Those include Williamsburg County, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Dillon County, Lugoff, Marion County, Johnsonville, Howe Springs, Sandridge, Calabash, Tabor City, Olanta, Hannah-Salem Friendfield, Sardis-Timmonsville, Goose Creek, Florence, Surfside Beach, Wilmington, and Columbus County.
10:10 A.M. MONDAY
The American Red Cross’ shelter at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center is now closed, Horry County officials said. The facility will be used for wildfire response operations for public safety agencies in the meantime.
The after-school program, typically held at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center, will be held at the Carolina Forest Senior Center, located next to the Carolina Forest library. All other programs are canceled.
Residents still in need of assistance may call the American Red Cross at 843-477-0020.
Athletic directors and coaches for Horry County Schools will adjust to indoor practices as needed throughout the week based on air quality concerns, Horry County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said.
She also said that schools across the county will monitor the air quality based on the direction of the windy and adjust recess and outdoor activities as needed.
9:10 A.M. MONDAY
Regional and state fire rescue crews are actively working the Carolina Forest-area wildfire incident, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.
Heavy smoke is still in the area, with very low visibility along Highway 501 and Highway 31 to Water Tower Road, HCFR said.
International Drive is closed to traffic, with fire gates down approximately a mile from Highway 90 and about one mile west of Ocean Bay Elementary School. The road will be closed until further notice, according to HCFR.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission will continue to provide assistance with airplane water drops, plows, and strengthening and cutting lines as crews work towards containment. There are two additional helicopter resources that are dropping water as well.
HCFR crews are conducting flying reconnaissance with drones, as well as on-site visual reconnaissance with supervisors to aid in response strategy.
6 A.M. MONDAY
Heavy, low-hanging smoke will impact the morning commute for the Myrtle Beach area, according to the National Weather Service.
Drivers should expect slow travel with limited visibility. It is advised to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you, drive slowly and use your headlights.
Visibility should improve around 9 a.m., the National Weather Service said. Horry County Fire Rescue asks drivers to avoid the general Carolina Forest Boulevard area due to lots of public safety vehicles on the move.
News13 has reached out to Horry County Schools about how the Monday air quality will impact regular outdoor school activities. We are waiting to hear back from officials on what action may be taken.
10:40 P.M.
Crews continued making progress toward containing one of two Carolina Forest area wildfires that burned roughly 2,000 acres over the weekend. The smaller of the two — the Blackthorn Drive Fire — is 100% contained, according to the South Carolina Forest Commission.
6 P.M.
Horry County Schools will run on a regular schedule Monday based on re-entry protocols into several Carolina Forest neighborhoods, district officials said.
“We recognize that many students, their families and staff may still be affected by the wildfires. We are committed to being flexible and working with each individual on a case-by-case basis tomorrow,” spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said. “If you or your family are experiencing challenges due to the fires, we encourage you to reach out to your school to discuss your specific circumstances and needs.”
Bourcier said the district is “closely monitoring” the situation and remains in contact with county emergency management officials.
5:30 P.M.
The Covington Lane wildfire grew to more than 1,600 acres and was 30% contained by 5:30 p.m., the state Forestry Commission reported on its official tracking site. That’s up from the 1,200 acres that officials were estimating through much of Sunday.
4:30 P.M.
Horry County officials lifted evacuation orders for residents in seven Carolina Forest neighborhoods who were forced out of their homes. Law enforcement checkpoints are in place.
People who don’t live in the impacted communities are asked to stay away so residents can safely return to their homes.
The Red Cross of South Carolina said it was keeping its shelter at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center open overnight.
4:20 P.M.
Coastal Carolina University is not planning to change campus operations because of the Carolina Forest area wildfires. School officials say they were notified by Horry County that the fires do not pose a threat to the campus.
Students and faculty members impacted by the fires and evacuations should work with their professors or supervisors to account for absences from in-person obligations during the next several days.
3:45 P.M.
Despite nearly 2,000 acres burning in Horry County, officials say nobody has been injured or killed, and no structures have been lost, State Rep. Tim McGinnis, R-Myrtle Beach, said in a Facebook post.
McGinnis said he spoke with County Administrator Barry Spivey and emergency management director Randy Webster.
“They say where the fire is burning closer to the Walkers Woods subdivision is the portion that’s giving them the most trouble right now,” McGinnis said.
3:30 P.M.
The South Carolina National Guard’s 59th Aviation Troop Command deployed two Black Hawk helicopters capable of carrying 600 gallons of water at a time to support local and state agencies.
3:15 P.M.
Crews are making progress toward containing one of two Carolina Forest area wildfires that have covered roughly 2,000 acres. The smaller of the two — the Blackthorn Drive Fire — is 80% contained, according to the South Carolina Forest Commission. It has covered about 800 acres.
The larger Covington Drive Fire, which has covered about 1,200 acres, remains uncontained, officials said. Evacuations are still in place for Indigo Bay Farm, Summerlyn, Spring Lake, Covington Lakes, Waterford, Walkers Woods and Avalon neighborhoods.
Statewide there were 108 wildfire ignitions on Saturday, most of which have been effectively contained. With a statewide burn ban in place, there have been fewer than 10 new fire on Sunday.
3 P.M.
Smoke from the Carolina Forest wildfires does not appear to be affecting flights in or out of Myrtle Beach International Airport. There are no cancellations showing on the airport’s website and nearly all flights through midnight are listed as on-time.
2:40 P.M.
Horry County authorities and the American Red Cross are continuing to provide food and shelter to evacuees at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center. Pets are allowed at the center but unless it’s a trained service animal, it must remain in a crate or carrier.
One evacuee told News13 about her experience.
“I had my brother call me and tell me to look out the back window,” Penny McEntire said. “He’s at the end of the street, where The Reserve is. That was all burning. I no more than hung up from him when I got a police officer knocking on my door, saying we have to evacuate. So, I’ve been here since about 3:00 this morning.”
The Red Cross is also accepting donations to help those affected by the fires, while also providing some basic care items. The organization also has mental-health counselors on call.
“People can download the Red Cross Emergency app,” spokesman Michael Hesbach said. “There’s a map, and there’s a pin on that map, right now, that shows the location of this shelter, if you’re not familiar with it. That app will also give geographic-specific warnings as well, should there be any in the area.”
2:30 P.M.
State Department of Natural Resources director Tom Mullikin and other top officials visit Lewis Ocean Bay Preserve in Horry County to assess fire damage and help secure local roadways.
1:45 P.M.
The South Carolina Forest Commission shows 15 wildfire incidents in Horry County from the Green Sea area south to Carolina Forest.
News13 video / Kate Blazo
Helicopters and air tankers continue to drop water as hundreds of firefighters from dozens of agencies work on the ground to bring the massive fires in the Carolina Forest areas under control. All but the two in the Carolina Forest area appear to be 100% contained. Those are the biggest — 1,200 acres and 300 acres — and the website shows zero containment.
11:50 A.M.
Gov. Henry McMaster has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency to support South Carolina’s ongoing response to wildfires burning across the state. The order enhances ongoing emergency response efforts as firefighters work to contain the wildfires affecting the Grand Strand and other regions.
His order also continues a statewide ban on outdoor burning until further notice.
According to the State Fire Marshal, authorities are fighting more than 175 wildfires, impacting 4,200 acres across the state, including Horry, Spartanburg, Oconee, Union, and Pickens counties.
10:30 A.M.
Dozens of fire agencies from across the Carolinas have joined Horry County crews as they work against the sweeping Carolina Forest wildfire, including:
- Williamsburg County Fire Department
- North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue
- Myrtle Beach Fire Department
- Conway Fire Department
- Dillon County Fire Department
- Lugoff Fire Department
- Marion City Fire Department
- Johnsonville Fire Department
- Howe Springs Fire Rescue
- Sandridge Volunteer Fire Department
- Calabash Fire Department
- Tabor City Fire Department
- Olanta Fire Department
- Hannah-Salem Friendfield Fire District
- Sardis-Timmonsville Fire Department
- Goose Creek Fire Department
- Florence City Fire Department
- Surfside Beach Fire Department
- Wilmington Fire Department
- Columbus County Fire Department
10 A.M.
More than 50 people have checked into a Red Cross shelter at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center as state Forestry Commission officials estimate the wildfire to be at least 1,200 acres.
Seven Carolina Forest neighborhoods have seen evacuations, most recently in Spring Lake and Waterford. Horry County officials said there’s still no timeline for re-entry.
9:30 A.M.
Aerial assets from multiple state agencies are arriving in Horry County to help put out hotspots around the Carolina Forest area, lawmakers said.
“Air assets from State Agencies (South Carolina Forestry Commission and the Department of Natural Resources) will soon be deployed in an effort to tamp down remaining hot spots in the Carolina Forest area affected by the wildfires,” state Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Conway, posted to his Facebook page Sunday morning.
State Rep. Tim McGinnis, R-Myrtle Beach, said on his Facebook page that forestry officials told him Blackhawk helicopters are among the aircraft coming in.
8:45 A.M.
Here’s a map from the South Carolina Forest Commission showing the active wildfires across the state.
7:35 A.M.
Fire resources from the Pee Dee are assisting with the Carolina Forest wildfire. Howe Springs Fire Rescue said Florence County has four engines, three tankers, three brush trucks and 28 personnel working the fire.
7:20 A.M.
Evacuations in the Carolina Forest area expanded quickly early Sunday morning as a wildfire grew to 1,200 acres.
Around 6 a.m., Horry County officials said evacuations were underway at the intersections of Spring Lake Drive, including Pennyroyal Court, Alyssum Court and Bluebonnet Court as well as Harvest Drive from Moonbeam Court to Tidelands Court in the Spring Lake community.
Around 4:45 a.m., Horry County officials announced that public safety personnel were evacuating Covington Drive from Summerhill Drive to the community center in the Covington Lakes neighborhood, with nearby structures threatened. Evacuees are told to go to the Carolina Forest Recreation Center. Others are asked to avoid the area and leave roadways open for first responders.
