HORRY COUNTY, S.C. — When Horry County asked for help battling fast-moving wildfires this weekend, York County Emergency Management jumped into action sending firefighters and equipment.
Six firefighters and an emergency management specialist arrived in Horry County on Sunday night to assist with the fires.
“They’re part of a huge operation obviously, hundreds of pieces of equipment and staff … we’ve all seen the helicopters and airplanes,” said York County Emergency Management Director, Chuck Haynes. “But they’re given an area to protect. Their job is a lot there what it is here: fire suppression.”
Division Chief of Suppression Ashton Foster says the team immediately went to work. They’ve been working 12-hour shifts, fighting fires that have come dangerously close to neighborhoods.
“They’re maybe 100 yards from houses in the woods trying to establish a safe line,” Foster said.
Jacob Hughes, an Emergency Management Specialist with York County, has been helping coordinate logistics in Horry County. He’s glad he can help.
“I think of it as a benefit of the job, it’s what I signed up to do,” he said.
Hughes says the people they’re protecting have been full of gratitude.
“We’re handling some fires and a citizen just stopped and he didn’t say anything he just dropped lunch in my lap and said keep working, thank you for what you do. We’ve continued to work and do the job that needs to be done out here,” Hughes said.
York County officials hope the rain will move in Wednesday and give them the resources needed to demobilize and return home soon.
VIDEO: Wildfires prompt evacuations across the Carolinas over the weekend
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