SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. --
A forest fire Monday was one of the biggest in Spartanburg County in decades, according to Brad Bramlett, with the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
The fire, off Rocky Ridge Road east of Enoree, was reported at about 1 p.m. By about 4 p.m., firefighters had the flames under control.
Bramlett said the fire may have charred up to 100-150 acres in an area as much as a mile long, but investigators will try to get a more accurate assessment when they return on Tuesday.
"We actually think it's multiple fires," Bramlett told WYFF. "Most of the fires that we go to are from people who are burning yard debris. A gust of wind comes and blows a spark over into the leaves. It takes off and we're out there to fight it."
Bramlett said they believe the initial fire may have started when a tree limb touched a power line and arced.
"(With) high winds and low humidity, it doesn't take much for a spark to hit this grass," said Bramlett.
No homes were threatened by the fire, but Robert Humphries, who lives on Liberty Ridge Rd., told WYFF he felt intimidated.
"It was pretty scary. Flames were getting pretty high," said Humphries.
Humphries said he was impressed with the firefighters work to control the blaze.
"They did a real good job," Humphries said.
The Forestry Commission brought in additional crews from Laurens and Newberry counties to fight the fire.
By early Monday evening, firefighters were “mopping up,” looking for any remaining hot spots.
Bramlett said the threat of additional brush fires will likely loom for months.
"Out West, the fire season is in the summer," Bramlett told WYFF. "Our (season) is in the winter when the humidity is low and all the leaves are on the ground and people are burning debris."
Bramlett said the fire season runs through early April.
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