HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - Smoky conditions are expected to continue as crews battle a massive wildfire in Carolina Forest.
Horry County Fire Rescue said Monday morning that there's a heavy, low-hanging smoke blanketed across the area. The agency is asking people to avoid the Carolina Forest Boulevard area as the work to contain the fire continues.
In addition, smoke has been seen up and down Highway 501 and Highway 31 to Water Tower Road, creating low visibility in those areas.
But crews have made some progress. The South Carolina Forestry Commission confirmed Sunday night that the fire was 30% contained and had burned around 1,600 acres. A spokesperson for the South Carolina Forestry Commission told WMBF News that those numbers remain the same as of Monday morning.
Horry County said in a Monday morning update that the South Carolina Forestry Commission is helping with "plows, strengthening and cutting lines, to work toward containment."
The county also said more water drops are expected on Monday, and crews are doing checks on the fire via drones. This is why it's critical to leave the airspace open to first responders.
The shelter at Carolina Forest Recreation Center is now closed, according to the county. The county said 18 people elected to stay there Sunday night, but the facility will now be used "for wildfire response operations for public safety agencies in the meantime."
Any residents who need help can contact the Red Cross at 843-477-0020. In addition, the county also announced that the Carolina Forest Community Church is now well-stocked and not taking any more donations.
Horry County stated that as of Monday morning, no homes had been lost, and no injuries had been reported.
Residents from several neighborhoods, including Walkers Woods and Avalaon, were evacuated due to the fire before being allowed to return home Sunday afternoon.
MORE INFORMATION | Residents evacuated from Carolina Forest wildfire allowed to return home
WMBF News received this dramatic and terrifying video of one family evacuating their home in Walkers Woods early Sunday morning.
Footage from a Ring doorbell camera at The Reserves at Walker Woods also shows intense flames in the area.
The state sent planes on Sunday morning to drop water on the wildfire in Carolina Forest. The county confirmed around 9:55 a.m. that the planes had arrived.
State Sen. Luke Rankin said that the air assets from the state would try to "tamp down remaining hot spots."
"While the loss of property has been miraculously avoided thus far, please take evacuation orders seriously and plan accordingly," Rankin said.
Some took videos of the planes and aircraft at work.
West Florence Fire-Rescue said it has sent resources to Horry County to also help with the wildfire.
ROAD CLOSURE
A section of International Drive remains closed indefinitely.
The closure will run from International Drive at Highway 90 to the nearby Ocean Bay schools.
The county said crews are utilizing the road for its emergency response.