HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Check here for updates as hundreds of crews work to contain the 2,059-acre fire that broke out on Covington Drive Saturday in the Carolina Forest area.
12:35 P.M. TUESDAY
Horry County Fire Rescue said that its crews will be working with South Carolina Forestry Commission crews Tuesday to reinforce break lines, saturate the ground and deploy additional sprinkler lines.
The SCFC is bringing in additional resources, including plows and staffing, additional line crews and supervisors. All are working to dig new lines, knocking down hot spots and generally working to increase containment.
The fire is still at approximately 2,059 acres with 30% containment, according to the SCFC.
International Drive will remain closed until further notice. There will be fire rescue crews in and around subdivision areas in Carolina Forest, as well as increased presence from the Horry County Police Department.
11 A.M. TUESDAY
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said the Covington Drive fire was “believed to be human-caused.”
10:35 A.M. TUESDAY
HCFR said crews are averaging 330 dispatched calls per shift since the beginning of the wildfires on Saturday. Some of those calls have been related to people continuing to burn when the burn ban is still in place.
Authorities remind residents that Horry County remains under a burn ban, and open burning is unlawful until the ban is lifted. Current conditions make open burning extremely dangerous.
HCFR also said that smoke will remain visible in the Carolina Forest area, and that an update on the Covington Drive Fire will be shared around noon.
10:10 A.M. TUESDAY
Horry County authorities said Tuesday morning the fire was still 2,059 acres and remained at 30% containment, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
Horry County Fire Rescue and assisting fire departments responded to “a number of” hot spots overnight that were quickly snuffed out.
