The spread of the Highway 31 fire near North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina has slowed over the last two days. The South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) reports that overnight the fire behavior was relatively calm and the 20,500-acre fire is 80 percent contained. However, there was a spot across Long Bay Road last night which they are still working to contain.
Strong 15 mph south winds today are cause for concern. Areas to watch are the water treatment plant east of Long Bay Road and near Highway 90 east of Highway 22.
The relative humidity will be in the 50s this afternoon, rising to the 90s tonight. The high temperature will be 80.
In a briefing Saturday morning by the South Carolina Emergency Management Operations Center, a spokesperson said the Pee Dee and Lowcountry Incident Management Teams have demobilized and returned home. The Incident Commanders are Mike Bozzo (SCFC), K. Bean (Horry Co.), Tom Barstow (N. Myrtle Beach). The US Coast Guard Incident Management Team continues to support operations at the Horry County EOC. Five UH60 Blackhawk helicopters from the SC and NC National Guard are still assigned to the fire.
Our previous coverage of the fire can be found here, here, and here.
More information about the fire can be found on the SC state site, however, the site is occasionally down, perhaps due to overwhelming traffic.
Photos of the fire and the incident command post courtesy of the SDFC, are HERE.
