Officials: S.C. fire mostly contained

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina firefighters continued Saturday to snuff out the hot spots of a wildfire smoldering near the coast for four days, and officials said the blaze that once came perilously close to the state’s tourist mecca appeared to be mostly contained.

After scorching more than 30 square miles and demolishing scores of homes, the fire remained 85 percent under control through the day, said authorities who were heartened by a forecast of calming winds and high humidity — but still no rain — into today.

“That’s very encouraging,” said Scott Hawkins, a spokesman for the state Forestry Commission. “But until it’s 100 percent contained, we won’t rest easy no matter how positive things are.”

Officials said smoldering ashes and hot spots fanned earlier in the week by 30 mph gusts remained unpredictable, and some inland homes along the containment line’s edge remained a worry.

Rain is “the only thing that’s going to put it completely out. It could take months,” said Holly Welch, a commission spokeswoman.

In all, the fire demolished more than 70 homes and damaged 100 others since it started Wednesday — roaring within a couple of miles of the main tourist strip that stretches south through Myrtle Beach. No injuries have been reported.

Earlier Saturday, homeowners picked through the rubble of destroyed houses at the golf course subdivision hardest hit by the blaze.