CHARLOTTE, N.C. — South Carolina forestry officials announced Wednesday that the Covington Drive Fire in Myrtle Beach is finally 100% contained, 82 days since it ignited, burning over 2,000 acres in Horry County.
The fire was started in Myrtle Beach in early March when a 40-year-old woman was burning yard debris and lost control of the flames. She was arrested on two charges related to the fire. Witnesses said the woman started the fire in a backyard pit that was close to the tree line. Investigators determined she didn’t have an appropriate water source available and had no tools on hand to control the flames.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said its decision to call the fire 100% contained was due to several significant rainfall events that raised the water table enough to extinguish hotspots that smoldered for weeks. Crews will continue to patrol the area until it’s declared controlled, meaning firefighting resources are no longer needed at the site.
