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“Increased fire danger” warnings were issued across North and South Carolina on Tuesday, with winds in the region expected to pick up and humidity forecast to plummet.
Firefighters are continuing to battle blazes that started tearing through both states over the weekend, including the large brush fire – the Carolina Forest fire – that broke out five miles north of Myrtle Beach.
The Carolina Forest fire – the largest fire across the two states – has torched more than 2,000 acres and remains just 30 percent contained, according to a Tuesday upate from Horry County Fire Rescue. A smoky Myrtle Beach announced it was “open” and said it would welcome visitors despite the wildfire raging nearby.
The HCFR deployed drones to support ground crews as they reinforced break lines and set up sprinkler systems to saturate the ground. A state-wide burn ban will stay in effect until further notice.
Another wildfire has spread to almost 600 acres around the towns of Tryon and Saluda in North Carolina’s Polk County. It was 63 percent contained.
Over the weekend, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency after approximately 175 blazes were recorded across the Carolinas.
Watch: S.C. National Guard drops water on Carolina Forest fire
Smoky skies impact Horry County travel
‘YES,’ Myrtle Beach is open
North Carolina disaster recovery centers will have delayed opening
Carolina Forest resident says wildfire smoke has impacted her health
Heather Budner, who lives in Carolina Forest, told The New York Times that she woke up Monday morning and felt a scratchiness in her throat because of all the smoke.
“It’s very unsettling to wake up inside your house feeling like you’re outside camping,” she said.
North Carolina Forest Service dealing with staffing shortages
North Carolina Forest Service officials said they’ve been hit by staffing shortages, according to WNCT.
“Right now, we’re looking at roughly 100, maybe a little more than 100 vacancies across the state which includes all three regions – Mountain, Piedmont and Coastal Plain,” Philip Jackson told the station. “And those vacancies are pretty evenly distributed.”
“They are the first responders to these wildfires,” he said. “North Carolina averages anywhere between 4,500 to 5,000 wildfires each year. As we mentioned earlier, That usually keeps us top five nationally. Most of our fires get to about two or three acres or less. So, these resources are very good at their jobs.”
‘It was horribly terrifying’: South Carolina resident speaks out about 2,000+-acre blaze
“I’ve never felt so protected in my life,” Suzanne Pickrell, who lives in the Covington Lake neighborhood of Horry County, told The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach. “I’ve never experienced something so incredible to watch as the way they have protected our neighborhood.”
Pickrell, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said this wildfire caused the most fear because of how fast it spread
“It was horribly terrifying,” she said.
North Carolina governor issues warning ahead of severe weather
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and emergency officials are urging all North Carolinians to prepare for the possibility of severe weather on Wednesday.
The state faces the potential of severe storms, strong winds, potential flooding, and isolated tornadoes.
“As our state from the mountains to the coast faces a severe storm, strong winds, and potential flooding late tonight and all day tomorrow, we urge all North Carolinians to stay tuned to their local weather forecast and stay safe,” said Stein. “If a severe weather warning for isolated tornadoes is issued for your area, please have a plan to take immediate cover.”
All of North Carolina’s National Forests wildfires are contained
Polk County gives update on fire
Source: independent.co.uk
