SC firefighters optimistic about Horry blaze

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Fire crews say they’ve been able to fight fire with fire to protect neighborhoods in Horry County.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission says it used burnouts to clear the approaches to homes near the Carolina Forest subdivision. The burns use up fuel that the main fire could use to approach neighborhoods.

Forestry Commission spokesman Russell Hulbright says Monday’s efforts went well. Officials estimate the fire is 60 percent contained and has burned 773 acres, including burnouts.

The smoke has drifted across some highways, but no major roads have been closed and no injuries have been reported in the fire that started Sunday afternoon.

Horry County Fire Rescue crews are battling another nearby, unrelated brush fire. The Forestry Commission estimated that fire had burned about 40 acres at 4:30 p.m.