A wildfire sparked in Carolina Forest, just over 5 miles from Coastal Carolina University’s campus, on Saturday, March 1.
Many families were forced to evacuate to escape the fire and the smoke. They were sent to Carolina Forest Community Center as well as the Carolina Forest Recreation Center. Most families were able to return home Sunday afternoon.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday, but the Carolina Forest wildfire has been 30% contained. Firefighters and aircraft dropping water on the fire continue to make progress putting the fire out.
The wildfires were caused by a combination of strong winds, dry air and high temperatures. By 8 p.m. on Saturday, the fire had spread to nearly 400 acres and was not yet contained.
According to WPDE’s Chief Meteorologist Ed Piotrowski, the neighborhoods of Walkers Woods and Covington Lakes were the most affected.
Piotrowski said that no houses have been significantly damaged, although the siding of some houses have been burned.
Multiple residents near the CCU community reported smelling smoke in their dorm rooms on March 2 around 11 p.m.
“Our bathroom smells like a campfire,” freshman Reese Winkelman said.
Many businesses such as Bojangles, Five Guys and Dunkin’ have been donating food and resources to aid first responders and any affected families.
Businesses including Vines Restoration Plumbing & HVAC, State Farm and Meals on Wheels are volunteering to deliver food to evacuation points.
Vines Plumbing Restoration and HVAC created a rehab station at Carolina Forest Community Church for the firemen.
Howard Bromberg, plumbing manager and service manager at Vines, said they have been helping since Saturday morning to provide food, water, toothbrushes and fresh socks and other things the firefighters would need while fighting the wildfire.
“Vines in the past has helped when the floods came through from some of the bigger storms. We’ve helped with some of that relief, but this is the first time to this extent with these fires,” Bromberg said.
If you’re interested in helping, places like the Carolina Forest Community Church will be serving food through March 4th and will need help cleaning up. Oh Darling Details and Caspin Coffee are also collecting supply donations to deliver to the Carolina Forest Recreation Center.
