Gusty winds threaten to further spread the destructive wildfire raging nearMyrtle Beach, S.C. Winds by the afternoon will increase to 10 to 20 mph. Guststo near 30 mph are anticipated. In addition to the actual fire, embers couldget blown and ignite new blazes.With the winds from the south, the blaze and embers should get steered northof the fire's current position. Residents that live in this area are beingurged to pay close attention to local media and take immediate action if anevacuation order is given. Shelters have been set up along the immediatecoastline since the winds will save this tourist district from the blaze.
Showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for eastern South Carolinathis afternoon. While the rain would definitely be welcome, the thunderstormswill likely remain just west of the fire zone.
The massive brush fire has consumed nearly 20,000 acres (estimated) sinceigniting around noon EDT Wednesday. The land charred by the fire stretches fromConway to North Myrtle Beach. The area is one of the busiest tourist locationsin South Carolina and the Atlantic coast of the United States.
The fire has charred approximately 70 homes and damaged around 100 others.
The fire forced around 2,500 people to evacuate between Highway 22 and MainStreet at Highway 31. Many area schools have closed for today.
Myrtle Beach continues to have a rainfall deficit since last summer andbeyond. During this period, the region received only about one third of theirnormal rainfall. Despite some significant rainfall of late, rainfall from March1 to April 22 has only been about 50 percent of normal.
This past winter's La Nina could be the cause of what appears to be a veryactive brush fire season this year. The cooler-than-average Pacific Oceancurrent contributes to below-average rainfall in the South. While the patternin the Pacific is now going neutral, the extra dry vegetation lingers andprovides fuel for any fire that ignites.
Story by AccuWeather.com Meteorologists Kristina Pydynowski and AlexSosnowski
