Francis Marion wildfire now 10 percent contained. Officials hope forecast rain will help

SHULERVILLE — The wildfire that has been raging in the Francis Marion National Forest since July 18 is now 10 percent contained, the U.S. Forest Service reports.

Firefighters are now much more confident that the fire will stay within break-paths that have been excavated to keep it from spreading. Additionally, forecast rain in the coming days might aid in extinguishing it, officials say.

On the evening of July 20, the blaze was around 800 acres in size, a drastic increase in coverage from the 15-acre spread that had first been reported two days before.

As of 11:30 a.m. July 21, firefighters patrolling the wildfire recorded it to be around 900 acres, according to Forest Service spokesperson Cathy Dowd.

Trees, other vegetation and swampland around two miles west of Shulerville are ablaze and around 90 firefighters from the national agency and local jurisdictions are working to combat it.

Wind gusts of up to 25 mph are expected in the area on July 21, which could spread smoke and stoke flames, Dowd wrote.

While residents in the area had been evacuated over the weekend, there are no active orders in place. Those living near the wildfire are expected to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, though.

Residents near Cane Swamp Lane and Tiger Corner Road are most at risk, Dowd said.

On the evening of July 20, a blanket of white smoke hung low in the air, according to a Post and Courier reporter who visited the scene.

The fire is expected to continue producing smoke as vegetation smolders from within, Dowd wrote.

Civilians are not permitted to fly drones near the area, according to the Forest Service. Doing so is extremely dangerous to crews fighting the fire and public safety at large.

The Forest Service will investigate the cause of the fire as soon as it is safe for crews to access the area where ignition was believed to have originated, Dowd said.

Most fires that originate in the Francis Marion National Forest are started by humans, according to prior reporting by The Post and Courier.

The cause of the July 18 fire is unknown.