Wildfire Nearly Contained

McCLELLANVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a wildfire that has scorched 2,600 acres along the South Carolina coast is 95 percent contained as firefighting conditions improve.

South Carolina Forestry Commission spokesman Scott Hawkins says the agency expects the fire to be completely contained late Friday or Saturday.

Conditions for fighting the fire near the Charleston-Georgetown County line have improved as the humidity has increased, winds have died and skies are overcast. Rain is expected this weekend.

State forester Gene Kodama estimates timber losses from the fire burning since Wednesday could reach $2 million depending on how much of the damaged trees can be marketed and how much is lost to insect infestation in the next few months.

U.S. 17 through the area was closed overnight because of smoke but has since reopened.
 
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