A 1200-ACRE FIRE IS THREATENING HOMES IN CAROLINA FOREST. (PHOTO).

 

A fire that’s grown to 1,200 plus acres in Carolina Forest, South Carolina is prompting additional evacuations this morning.

Those evacuating can head to the Carolina Forest Recreation Center at 2254 Carolina Forest Boulevard.

This fire is just west of Myrtle Beach. 

ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE:

A 1200-acre fire is threatening homes in Carolina Forest.

As of 6:12 a.m. on Sunday, public safety personnel are evacuating: Blackberry Lane from the intersections of Spring Lake Drive including Pennyroyal Ct., Alyssum Ct., Bluebonnet Ct., as well as Harvest Drive from Moonbeam Ct. to Tidelands Ct. in the Spring Lake community in Carolina Forest due to the ongoing wildfire and structures threatened.

Officials evacuated the Reserve area of the Walkers Woods neighborhood and the Avalon neighborhood of Carolina Forest due to active wildfires, according to Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR).

County police and fire crews have issued another evacuation order for Covington Drive from Summerhill Drive to the community center in the Covington Lakes neighborhood of Carolina Forest. This order was issued around 4:45 a.m. due to the ongoing changes in the wind patterns impacting the wildfire.

Overnight, Horry County officials issued new evacuations at 3:15 a.m. Those include homes along Arrow Wood Court, Indianola Court, and Tuckahoe Road in the Walkers Woods neighborhood.

As of 11:57 p.m. on Saturday, evacuations are in place for the Indigo Bay, the Farm, and the Summerlyn neighborhoods of Carolina Forest.

As of 7:30 p.m., residents of Tuckahoe Road and Wyandot Court can return home, but much of the remainder of Walkers Woods and Avalon remains evacuated.

As of 9:30 p.m., the fire is actively burning behind the Avalon neighborhood and extends across a wide expanse of non-residential land toward Highway 90 and International Drive. HCFR reported the fire was roughly behind Birnamwood Court, saying these areas were of the highest concern for potential evacuations "if weather and fire conditions evolve."

Other areas near Carolina Forest do not have official evacuation notices but should remain cautious at this time.

Bellegrove residents are not currently in the evacuation order; however, given the proximity, HCFR encourages residents - and all residents in Carolina Forest - to prepare as if you will evacuate and heed all directives from public safety personnel.

"In the event of an evacuation, community members will see public safety personnel (police, fire, EMS, etc.) come through the neighborhood to deliver messages via PA system and door-knocking, Those who are registered for Code Red or follow us on social media will also receive notifications via their phone and/or email," according to HCFR.

"My two daughters went outside, and in two minutes, we started seeing the flames. So my husband was like, ‘Out now, out now,’ and I said, ‘Do we get something?’ ‘Now Maria!’," Maria Rivera, a Walkers Woods resident said. "Unbelievable. You always watch these things on TV like in California, and you never think it’s going to happen to you. So, I can’t describe what it’s like that I have a house that’s still there and everything that I have now, I get to go back to it."

Community members who live in Carolina Forest between Carolina Forest Boulevard and Highway 90, on the eastern side toward International Drive, are encouraged to make an overnight safety plan. HCFR

In the event of an evacuation, it's critical to act without delay, take only what you need, follow the directives of law enforcement and first responders, and move quickly to safely.

If you're in immediate danger, such as flames blocking your exit or approaching your home, call 911.