Members of the South Carolina House of Representatives met in Columbia Thursday to talk about the Highway 31 Wildfire that burned through a large portion of Horry County..
Among the participants were also members of the South Carolina Forestry Commission, who discussed ways about how a natural disaster like the one that burned about 20,000 acres two months ago can be better handled in the future.
"Using the Highway 31 fire as a kick off point to say well what can we learn about fire management and land management to lessen the possibilities of similar incidents elsewhere," state forester, Gene Kodama, said.
The forestry department says that a total of 97 homes were damaged and 76 were destroyed. Officials said it’s estimated at this time, that the fire caused $20.5 million in damages.
The commission said that they think their response to the fire was good, but they need more money for outdated equipment and some of it needs immediate replacement. That’s why in Thursday’s meeting they asked legislators for money to buy bulldozers, radios and trucks with upgraded safety features which will cost approximately $3.5 million annually -- an amount legislators said isn't much to ask for.
"That’s a small price to pay to protect the state on property and protect assets such as people's homes and their lives," Rep. Tracy Edge of North Myrtle Beach, said.
"You got to have people who are well trained and that are here and know what to do and when to do it and the support that goes in and around that,” Kodama said.
The forestry commission says that final step of an internal review will be complete by next week.
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