Aiken County brush fires continue to burn, officials say

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A day after at least four fires were reported in Aiken County, two are contained, but still burning.

According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, a perimeter has been constructed around the fires on Vaucluse Road and New Holland Road.

That means the flames are still smoldering but not likely to spread, thanks to the hard work of our firefighters.

The fire prompted evacuations on Wednesday.

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While everyone can go back home now, there’s still some smoke in the air, and the smell lingers, causing many to be thankful it wasn’t way worse.

“I would want to say within maybe 30 feet, 25-30 feet,” said Leanard Briggs, who lives nearby.

One of the fires spanned over 70 acres.

Jack Slider also lives nearby. He said, “My wife and I moved out here in 1987, and we lived here until 2016, and raised our son and daughter out here.”

Briggs: “I looked at the property. My grandfather’s property and family on both sides of the road, and the new neighbors, you know, it was kind of frightening because I didn’t know where it was going. It was traveling fast.”

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Charles Jenkins has lived nearby for 20 years. Jenkins says he had never seen a fire like this here before.

Burning a different type of memory into their mind.

Briggs: “I couldn’t think of nobody to call at that time other than God.”

Something that they never thought would happen. Jenkins lost the tools he had been using to fix up his home from Hurricane Helene.

“A level so thick. Yeah, I couldn’t hardly breathe,” said Jenkins. “It was kind of devastating mentally because I just overcame the storm, and then get a call and got a fire. I looked at the shed and looked at how close it was to the house. I was just grateful for the firemen and the job that they’ve done. They’ve done a great job.”

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Residents are not losing hope.

“It’s just it’s difficult, but you know, life goes on. You’ve just got to see the good in all of it. And the good is my house is still standing. So you know, as long as I got that, I got more hope,” said Briggs.

Residents are considering how important the burn ban is.

“When you come down to this, trying to be real cautious about what you do, just think about it twice before you light that match,” said Jenkins.

On Thursday, it continued to burn, but firefighters say they are aware of it and continue to watch over the area.