Tag: first responders

‘Thank You Celebration’ at Pelicans Ballpark honors first responders

by Carolina Surface, originally posed April 15, 2025 by WPDE ABC News 15

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — On Monday evening, the community gathered to honor the Covington Drive wildfire first responders at the Pelicans Stadium.

First responders received complimentary food and tickets during Monday’s event from 4 to 7 p.m.

The admission fees from other guests went to the South Carolina Mental Health for Heroes, a nonprofit organization that helps first responders and veteran’s mental health needs.

Congressman Russell Fry, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, State Senator Greg Hembree, State House Rep. Tim McGinnis and Horry County Councilman Dennis DiSabato were in attendance as special guests.

“That’s such a testament to how hard these men and women fight for us every single day,” said Lt. Gov. Evette. “So I’m glad to see this great turnout. I’d expect nothing less from South Carolina.”

ABC15’s Chief Meteorologist, Ed Piotrowski, was the emcee of this event.

Lt. Gov. Evette Visits Table Rock Complex as Fire Becomes Highest Priority Fire in the Nation

Table Rock Complex fire officially crosses state lines

by Scarlett Lisjak, originally posted March 29, 2025 by WSPA

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Officials said the Table Rock Complex Fire has now crossed the state line into North Carolina.

The Table Rock Complex fire, made up of both the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge Fires, has become the largest wildfire the upstate has ever seen.

“One thing I was briefed on this morning, is we’ve had the largest chemical water drops in state history for this fire,” said Pamela Evette, the Lt. Governor for the State of South Carolina.

On Saturday, state and local officials met to give an update on their ongoing containment efforts. Fire officials said they are continuing to strengthen containment lines to the east and west of the fire while conducting burn out operations.

“Our guys and ladies are working extremely hard out there. It’s very difficult working conditions. Anyone who has hiked around Table Rocks knows this is a very steep hilly country. It will wear you out on a normal day, much less when you’re fighting fires, but the morale of our folks is incredible,” said Scott Phillips with South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Officials said that this year’s fire season has been unprecedented because of another natural disaster.

“This is not an easy task, as we have a lot of fuel on the ground from Hurricane Helene which has posed extra challenges that they didn’t have to fight before,” Evette said.

Evette added the blaze is also a high priority for the federal government saying that “right now Table Rock is the number one fire in the country, that’s why you are seeing such an increase in federal resources, because we moved up to the number one fire.”

A statewide burn ban is still in effect in South Carolina.

Lt. Governor Pamela Evette visits Carolina Forest on day eight of wildfires

Originally posted by Fox Carolina on March 8, 2025.

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette visited Carolina Forest neighborhoods to speak with residents and first responders still fighting a now over 2,000-acre wildfire.

Lt. Governor Evette told WMBF News she assessed damage from the wildfires but also came to thank Horry County first responders.

“The people of South Carolina are resilient, and their kind and we work together,” she said. “It’s a miracle that we’ve had no loss of life, no loss of property, and that’s not by chance.”

Her visit follows Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Russell Fry, who also praised first responders on Friday.

Horry County Fire Rescue says they’re making progress and are happy with the containment they’re seeing on the lines with the South Carolina Forestry Commission reporting a 55 percent containment as of Saturday morning.

The lieutenant governor also showed appreciation to the residents of Horry County for taking it upon themselves to step in and help.

“That’s what I’ve heard from first responders over and over, is thank you so much to this community for stepping up, for making sure that they had enough snacks, water, Gatorade, a place to lay their heads to rest when there were breaks,” she stated. “That they could come back and try to get a little rest. So, thank you to the community for all you do.”

On Saturday, Horry County officials and the South Carolina Forestry Commission said the fire remains at 55% containment, with crews attacking occasional flare-ups and hot spots. Still, overall things are moving in a positive direction.

Still county officials are strongly enforcing the county-wide burn ban and it is still in effect until further notice.

Copyright 2025 WMBF. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2025. All Rights Reserved.
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