MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)-The warmer temperatures we’ve been having increase the risk for brush fires. Almost daily departments across the county get calls for brush fires and firefighters say it’s something everyone should take more seriously.
Something as simple as throwing a cigarette out the window can cause a brush fire. Usually firemen can contain something that small but fire’s unpredictable and there’s no way to know how or if it’s going to spread.
Seven years ago, the Highway 31 wildfire scorched 19,000 acres and damaged 76 homes.
While that sounds like an extreme comparison to a brush fire, that fire started from a simple debris burn that escaped from a Conway yard.
That’s not the only destructive fire in the area. In 2013, the Windsor Green fire burned down 26 condo buildings. That’s just another example of a small fire gaining momentum that even firemen battled to get under control.
Lieutenant Christian Sliker doesn’t want to scare people but he wants people to know the magnitude of what many consider just a brush fire.
“Nothing can replace the loss of property or the feeling of losing everything. These are the things we want people to know. The fire department is here to help you with whatever we can. Put the fire out, try and save any possessions but by taking these dangers and taking these elements away such as unsafe grilling, discarding ashes, cigarettes, this can help keep your family safe.”
Lieutenant Sliker also told news13 that many people assume this won’t be a bad fire season because of the flooding we had last year. Since wind gust and oxygen levels always vary, he said they’re not counting on the flood for a safer season.
“A fire can happen anywhere at any time. Not to say the grounds were not soggy or wet but the fact of the matter is that fire can happen. You need to take that proactive stance. You need to be offensive instead of defensive. You need to take those steps to make sure your family is fire safe and basing it on soggy grounds and the flood we had it not a good idea.”
Remember:
Open burning is not allowed within city limits.
Fireworks are also not allowed.
Be mindful when you grill, you should keep it away from your house
Finally, keep your yard clean of trash and plant debris.
