South Carolina Wildfire Continues to Blaze

The wildfire in the Murtle Beach area is continuing
to rage fiercely again today (Friday) after it
eased off slightly overnight when the wind died
down and firebreaks contained the fire's onward
movement.

South Carolina's forest fire chief said that
this was the worst fire to hit South Carolina
for three decades threatening parts of the
popular tourist area.

To date 20,000 acres of land has been scorched,
70 homes destroyed, a further 100 homes damaged
and at least 2500 people have been evacuated. No
fatalities or injuries have been reported.
Damage is estimated to run at more than $8
million.

The fire allegedly started in a yard in Conway
last weekend where a person was burning debris
in his yard. Firefighters were called in to
extinquish the fire, but it seems to have
continued to smoulder under the scrub only to be
rekindled by the fresh winds a few days later
leading to the devastation of the present
situation.

By early Friday, the blaze was reported to be
about 50% contained although it was feared that
that if there was any deterioration in the
weather accompanied by even slight increases in
wind speed flare-ups of the fire at hot spots
could result.

Teams of firefighters are reported to be
prepared for every eventuality, but are hopeful
that the fire will be contained by late weekend.