CAROLINA FOREST, SC (WMBF) - Horry County is in the middle of
wildfire season, and one of the biggest places in our area for them, Carolina
Forest, still has some missing holes when it comes to protection from flames.
Some of the subdivisions have the
Firewise Protection Program, while others don't, yet all of them have the same
amount of threat when it comes to wildfires and living next to heavily wooded
areas.
Homeowners in the area say they remember how close the
flames got from the Carolina Forest Fire, and they don't want it to happen
again. But the South Carolina Forestry Commission says the fact that more
neighborhoods aren't protected is a concern.
The Firewise program helps people living in a neighborhood
to help their community become safer from fire risks by coming up with
solutions. A local Home Owner's Association says they are in the process of trying
to get involved with the Firewise program.
The SC Forestry Commission says Horry County is one of
areas of the state that is most likely to have wildfires, and this is a big
time of the year to have them, because the ground can dry out very fast.
The Forestry Commission says many people don't realize
how big of a threat it can be to you and your home. Just a simple walk around
your house can show you so much.
The Highway 31 fire
in 2009, More than 70 homes were burned to the ground in the Highway 31 Fire in
2009.
Even though
homeowners can't control when things go up in flames, they can control how
their home will survive.
When it comes to fire, you have to focus on
the 30 feet of space around your home; this is where you can find potential for
more protection.
Remove any flammable
plants, clear out dead leaves and needles, prune your shrubs and any large
trees, so the lowest branch is at least 6 to 10 feet high.
The Forestry Commission
says being proactive is crucial.
"Prepare your homes
and your community against the threat of fire," says Scott Hawkins with the SC
Forestry Commission. "And that forces a little bit of buy-in on the homeowners
and the residents. They're taking an active role in protecting their property and
the lives of their family."
Some of it can be as
simple as just taking a quick walk around your home to see what could go up in
flames. It really makes a difference,
because doing these things can mean your home will still be standing once the
flames die down.
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