CHARLESTON (South Carolina, US), March 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency as fire crews reported more than 4,000 acres statewide have burned in almost 200 wildfires.
McMater’s executive order, which he issued Sunday, enhances ongoing emergency response efforts as firefighters continue working to contain multiple fires.
“This State of Emergency ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities from these wildfires, have the resources they need,” McMaster said. “Dangerous wildfire conditions require that a statewide burning ban remain in effect until further notice. Those who violate this ban will be subject to criminal prosecution.”
McMaster’s order also states an existing ban on outdoor burning will continue statewide until further notice.
As of Sunday morning, the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported 182 fires that burned 4,247 acres of land.
Fires were reported across the state but Georgetown County showed the most among Lowcountry counties with 13. All of those have since been contained or controlled, although some evacuations had been ordered in parts of Georgetown County.
Two fires were listed as active in the Lowcountry as of Sunday morning. One was reported in the 9900 block of Randall Road in Charleston County and the other listed as active was in the 1200 block of Homestead Road in Colleton County.
The forestry commission said another fire, in the 400 block of Bess Lane in Berkeley County, had also been reported.
Crews continued to fight a pair of active fires in Horry County, one in Clarendon County, one in Lancaster County and one in Pickens County as of 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Ring camera footage captured intense flames near a home in the Reserves at Walker Woods in the Carolina Forest area of Horry County on Saturday night. Footage from a Ring doorbell camera at The Reserves at Walker Woods also shows intense flames in the area.
“While a majority of the current wildfire activity is concentrated in the Pee Dee region, the rest of the state is experiencing a dramatic uptick in wildfires, straining the capacity of Forestry Commission firefighters and local emergency response personnel to respond,” South Carolina Forestry Commission Forest Protection Chief Darryl Jones said.
The forestry commission issued a statewide burning ban on Saturday that prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burns and campfires. — NNN-AGENCIES
