The South Carolina Forestry Commission lifted the State Forester’s burning ban for Horry County at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, after rainfall dampened the area Monday, further helping fight the Carolina Forest wildfire.
Burning for forestry, wildlife or agricultural purposes is permitted with the lifting of the ban and citizens planning to conduct prescribed burns must notify the Forestry Commission beforehand.
Horry County government’s ban on open burning, such as burning debris, remains in place until further notice.
On Tuesday morning, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to reimburse the state and local governments up to 75% for eligible firefighting costs. Eligible costs include expenses for deploying field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization and demobilization. According to a news release, the state of South Carolina requested a fire management assistance grant from the federal agency on Friday, March 7. FEMA Region 4 Administrator Robert D. Samaan approved the request Monday after determining that the fire "threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster."
Most wildfires ignited in Horry County on or after March 1 are under control and officials’ main focus is containing the Covington Drive Fire in Carolina Forest, which remains at 2,059 acres.
SCFC wrote in a news release Tuesday that the fire is now 60% contained. Sixty-four personnel remain on sight and the Georgia National Guard will soon relieve the South Carolina National Guard to continue aerial support to suppress any flare-ups.
"Even though surface fire activity has diminished in portions of the fire, the underground peat layers, made up primarily of partially decomposed plant material, can continue to smolder for an extended period of time," SCFC wrote. "These smoldering layers pose an ongoing risk, as they can reignite as conditions warm up and dry out throughout the week."
The steady rainfall Monday and overnight into early Tuesday morning was much-needed, according to news partner WMBF New's meteorologist Andrew Dockery. The area received between 1.2 to 2.35 inches of rainfall, with Conway experiencing the most.Â
The recent rain, more stable weather conditions, and most wildfires being under control contributed to the S.C. Forestry Commission’s decision to lift the State Forester’s burning ban.
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