Florence firefighters aid in fight of Horry County blaze

Firefighters from Florence County have headed to Horry County to assist with a large blaze that has scorched some 3,000 acres and forced at least 20 people out of their homes.

The South Carolina Firefighters Mobilization program has been activated because of the large fire burning an area near S.C. 90 just outside of Conway, said John Baker, South Lynches Fire Department administrator and Region Four coordinator for the program.

“We are just trying to find some resources in Florence to assist them with the situation they have,” Baker said Wednesday afternoon.

The program is activated when a fire department has exhausted all its local mutual aid resources and has no choice but to reach out to agencies farther away, he said.

Crews with both the Conway Fire Department and the S.C. Forestry Commission spent most of Wednesday battling the blaze but by that afternoon, it became apparent that more help was needed.

Finding the resources has been a real challenge, Baker said.

“One unit from Windy Hill (Volunteer Fire Department), one unit from the city of Florence and one unit from Darlington County (Fire District)  are heading down there,”  Baker said.

Firefighters from the agencies likely will be spending the night in Horry County, he said Wednesday evening.

Region Four includes Florence, Clarendon, Dillon, Marion, Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties.

Officials in Horry Count said the fire had spread to the Grande Dunes Golf Club, and that part of the golf course was on fire. No buildings were threatened by the fire.

According to Horry County Public Information Officer Lisa Bourcier, residents on Woodlawn Drive, International Drive and Serenity Drive off S.C. 90 were forced out of their homes.

The fire damaged one home in the Woodlawn subdivision, and damaged two others Wednesday afternoon.

Officials have ordered more homes to be evacuated in the area around S.C. 90 outside of Conway.

Horry County has set up an information line for residents to call and get the latest details on the blaze. That number is (843) 915-5711.

The Coastal South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross opened a shelter Wednesday afternoon in Conway. The shelter will remain open as long as needed to house any individuals who are evacuated from their homes.

That shelter has room for about 50 people, but Red Cross officials are prepared to look for an additional location if more space is needed.

The Red Cross has dispatching its emergency response vehicle and volunteers to provide canteen assistance to the emergency responders at the fire and for those in the shelter.