* Friday, August 16, 2019
This page will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Latest Update
Our primary incident objectives continue to be fighting the fire and minimizing impact to public health. Transition from DHEC lead to EPA lead is in progress.
All businesses along located on Mackinlay Way and Schinger Avenue who were asked to leave yesterday were notified this morning that it was safe for them to return.
Continuous air monitoring has been and will continue to be done on site utilizing both stationary monitors and handheld meters.
Regarding recent questions about fecal bacteria data results in the Okatie Watershed
High levels of bacteria in the Okatie watershed have been identified for many years. The first portion of the Okatie River was restricted for shellfish harvesting in 1995 and a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for fecal coliform bacteria was issued in 2010. The goal of a TMDL is to identify potential pollution sources and implement measures to meet water quality standards and improve water quality.
Recent samples taken in this watershed have identified elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria from warm-blooded animals. It has been alleged that this bacteria is from the Able Contracting site. This bacteria is not associated with the Able Contracting site. Levels such as this are most often associated with untreated sanitary sewage.
Runoff from firefighting activities has shown the presence of some organic chemicals and metals. To minimize downstream impacts to waterbodies, the contractor is recycling the fire suppression water to the extent practicable and testing of this water for proper disposal. The Department will continue to assess any potential environmental impacts to surface water.
DHEC has been investigating the potential source(s) of the fecal coliform. As source(s) are identified, remedial measures can be taken to rectify the situation.
Daily smoke forecasts will be posted over the weekend.
Smoke forecast for Saturday, August 17, 2019:
A light wind, mainly from the southwest to west Friday night through Saturday, should continue to move the Able fire smoke plume generally in a northeast to east direction through Saturday. Smoke trapping will be minimal as the atmosphere remains moist. However, periods of smoke are possible in the vicinity of Hearthstone Lakes Subdivision, Rivers End Subdivision and Okatie Elementary School as well as Okatie Highway and Argent Blvd. Smoke will be most prevalent overnight Friday and early Saturday, dissipating by late morning Saturday. Locations closest to the Able Contracting Recycling facility along Schinger Avenue are more likely to experience smoke at any given time.
The Smoke Forecast Hotline has been established to provide the daily forecast and allow community members to leave messages if they have additional questions. The Smoke Forecast Hotline phone number is 803-898-4262 or 1-800‐204-1842.
For media inquiries: media@dhec.sc.gov.
For other inquiries: ablefire@dhec.sc.gov.