BY ALAN WOOTEN
Wildfires in the Carolinas, including a large on near tourist destination Myrtle Beach, continued to burn on Monday and firefighters were helped modestly by less wind.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission on Saturday said 102 wildfire ignitions happened Saturday and issued a burning ban for all 46 counties. Evacuations happened in the North Carolina mountains, in Polk County where crews intentionally burned areas to create breaks and help contain a 480-acre fire.
Early Monday evening, all evacuations had been lifted sans a small segment along N.C. 176.
“The brave men and women of the U.S. Forest Service began responding immediately to the fires in the Carolinas,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “We will ensure they have the resources, personnel, and support they need to swiftly put out the fires. They are working closely with state and local partners, and we are grateful for all the firefighters working on the frontlines.”
Robeson County, largest in land mass near the South Carolina border in southeastern North Carolina, reported more than 70 small wildfires damaging 15 structures. The North Carolina Forest Service counted more than 200 at one point Monday.
Winter has been dry, a cold front moved across the Carolinas over the weekend, and was without rain as is usual. Rain is forecast this week. North Carolina Emergency Management said late Monday winds were expected to increase on Tuesday.
The fire in Horry County, South Carolina, has burned more than 2.5 square miles.
