NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Wildfires only happen in undeveloped, forested areas far away from residential neighborhoods, right? Absolutely wrong.
For example, on April 23, 2009 the city of North Myrtle Beach experienced a wildfire that began in Horry County, jumped a major roadway, then burned about 75 homes in the city limits. One of the main fire prevention issues that arose from that fire was the use of pine straw as a landscaping element next to structures. From that wildfire was also born the city of North Myrtle Beach Wildland Firefighting Team, and an annual focus on proper landscaping and other precautions that home owners and business owners can employ to reduce chances that their properties will be damaged by wildland fires.
On June 18, 10am-3pm, the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department will hold a “Wildland Fire Education” open house at Fire Station #1, 1018 2nd Avenue South. The public is invited to come to the open house, and encouraged to bring the whole family. Food and refreshments will be provided to all who come to the open house.
The SC Forestry Commission will be on site with their interactive display. City fire and police vehicles will be on display. The Fire Marshal’s Office will have their fire safety house set up and will provide tours of the house. Children can use a fire hose and spray targets.
New for this year is an onsite a mockup of the exterior of a home, and through a live display firefighters will show the fire damage that can be caused by fire when pine straw is used as a landscaping material versus other safer materials.
Understanding wildland fire safety is important to North Myrtle Beach and the Horry County area.-Information from a Press Release.
