WILDFIRE POINT OF ORIGIN REMAINS UNCHANGED IN HORRY CO. INVESTIGATION

Agents with the South Carolina Forestry Commission have yet to find another ignition source which could be linked to the wildfire in Horry County. Marc Torchi of Conway remains the only individual charged due to an illegal debris burn thought to have eventually led to the wildfire.

“Although we continue to investigate, no evidence has turned up to indicate a second possible point of origin,” said Scott Hawkins, an agency spokesperson.

The fire is 100% contained, but will not be labeled "controlled" until there is no longer any heat produced anywhere inside the line.

SC Forestry Commission officers issued two tickets Thursday to Torchi in connection with the wildfire which destroyed dozens of homes. According to investigators, he had been burning household garbage on Saturday, April 18. This fire escaped that evening but was apparently extinguished. On Wednesday, April 22, strong winds and low humidity allowed the fire to rekindle and spread rapidly, growing into what has become known as the Highway 31 Fire. Mr. Torchi is being held criminally responsible only for the fire which burned his neighbor's land, although SCFC investigators are convinced it led to the larger wildfire.



South Carolina Forestry Commission officers cited Mr. Torchi with Failure to Notify the Forestry Commission, SC Code 48-35-10, and Allowing Fire to Spread to Lands of Another, SC Code 16-11-180. The charges can result in fines of $262.50 and $470.00, respectively. State law requires burners to notify the SC Forestry Commission, clear around the area to be burned, have adequate resources available to control the fire, and stay with the fire until it is safe to leave.