There are still flare-ups one month later. An update on Carolina Forest wildfire
It’s been over a month since sparks first flew in the dense wooded areas of unincorporated Horry County causing a large wildfire.
That area, known as Carolina Forest, is less than 10 miles away from downtown Myrtle Beach.
The Covington Drive wildfire started on March 1, and engulfed more than 2,000 acres. The first weekend the fire was active, it came very close to residential homes in Carolina Forest, ultimately causing parts of eight neighborhoods to evacuate, melted the siding off houses and causing smoke damage.
No homes or lives have been lost due to the fire.
In mid-March, the South Carolina Forestry Commission arrested a Carolina Forest woman and accused her of starting the blaze. Since then, her lawyer has denied those claims and spoken out in his client’s defense.
What’s going on with the new flare-ups?
In recent days, Horry County Fire Rescue has reported flare-ups from the same wildfire.
“Most of the hot spots are located underground, essentially un-extinguishable by firefighter sprinklers and handlines,” a Facebook post from HCFR on April 15 said.
Horry County Public Information Officer Tony Casey said unfortunately these flare-ups will remain common place under these current conditions.
“Dry conditions and wind will produce the flare ups within the breaks, most likely, in which case people will see the that smoke,” he said over the phone on Thursday afternoon. “We do want people to call in 911 if they see a significant amount of smoke, but seeing some smoke there will not be out of the ordinary until we get that heavy amount of rain.”
As of Wednesday, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said the 2,059 acre fire is 90 percent contained.
“Smoke is once again present and highly visible in the general Carolina Forest area this morning, as contained flare-ups related to the Covington Drive Fire persist,” another post by Horry County Fire Rescue said. “Smoldering fire mixed with wind and dry conditions are commonly producing hot spots within the fire lines and breaks.”
On Thursday mid-morning, a group of firefighters from the Horry County Fire Department and the South Carolina Forestry Commission were in the Walkers Woods and Avalon areas of Carolina Forest, ready to combat any signs of flare-up. There were no new flare-ups as of 11 a.m., a firefighter on the scene said.
Is the fire still affecting Carolina Forest residents?
For some residents whose homes abut the now charred forest, the wildfire still affects their daily lives.
Tim Bazinet, who lives in Walkers Woods, said he and his family are still running their air purifiers. Smoke continues to be bad at nights, he said, and the warning light on the air purifiers blinks bright red.
His neighbor, Bridgette Scholl’s siding melted off the backside of her home as a result of the flames.
“That’s crazy that it’s basically still going on,” Scholl said over the phone on Wednesday afternoon. “I am currently displaced because of the restoration and renovations and stuff, whatever that they’re having to do with my house.”
In addition to damaged siding, Scholl said she had broken windows and a lot of smoke damage. She is so incredibly grateful to the firefighters who worked so hard to save her home.
“I have no idea when I’ll be able to to go back home and stay forever,” Scholl said. “I’ve been told that they couldn’t start on some of the interior repairs and stuff due to the smoke.”
Dealing with insurance claims has also been difficult. As of Wednesday, Scholl said she hasn’t seen any money come through yet.
“It’s like, ‘It’s a new day,’ and then, there’s another smoke flare up,” she said. “So, as much as I try to stay positive, it breaks me sometimes.”
