Red Flag Fire Warning in Place in S.C. Counties
Source The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Feb. 11--All counties in the Pee Dee and Coastal regions will be in a red flag fire alert later tonight. The warning, issued by the South Carolina Forestry Commission, takes effect tonight at 7 p.m.
Scott Hawkins, with the forestry commission, said there is not an expiration date on those alerts. They will be in place until further notice.
The red flag fire alert does not outlaw outdoor burning, Hawkins said. But, officials advise postponement of outdoor burns until weather conditions improve.
This alert comes after Horry County Fire Rescue and forestry officials fought multiple brush fires in the area this week. One, in the Aynor area grew to 20 acres.
Hawkins said the weather system hitting the area tonight is the reason for the burn warnings.
"An approaching weather system this weekend is expected to bring high winds, low relative humidity and only a negligible amount of rain," Hawkins said. "These conditions will make debris burns difficult to control and they support the spread of wildfire."
Horry and Georgetown Counties are just two of the 14 affected counties.
Suspected wildfires should be reported to 911 or t he forestry commission's dispatch center at 1-800-777-FIRE.
Contact AMANDA KELLEY at 626-0381.
Copyright 2012 - The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
