* Thursday, August 22, 2019
This page will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Latest Update
The primary incident objectives continue to be fighting the fire, minimizing impact to public health, and evaluating potential environmental impacts.
If you drive in the area, please be aware of the increased truck traffic.
| Total Trucks through 8/21 | 311 |
| Total Tons through 8/21 | 3,041 |
| Trucks as of 3:00 PM 8/22 | 10 |
| Tons as of 3:00 PM 8/22 | 100 |
Please note: the number of trucks per day is subject to vary due to weather and logistical issues associated with fighting the fire.
Today firefighting efforts continued while workers staged material for efficient removal tomorrow. Due to these activities, the number of trucks leaving was significantly less than for the previous days. Visible smoke leaving the site today was minimal. A thunderstorm briefly halted operations late afternoon.
Particulate readings for Short Cut Road had an average reading of 15.2 ug/m3 and were within the "Moderate” air quality index (AQI) category. Peaks were noted during 8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. Particulate readings at the Grace Coastal Church, EPA’s Command Post, Brook Mill Apartments, Sun City, Grace Coastal Church, and Short Cut Road reported “Good” air quality with an average reading of 9.35 ug/m3. Data from Peacock Collision was not recorded for this time period due to software issues. Technicians are working to correct the problem. Particulates at Okatie Elementary School, reported “Good” air quality (≤12 ug/m3) for the period. Air monitoring around the site continues.
Smoke forecast for Friday, August 23, 2019:
Light south and southwest wind should persist through Friday, which should continue to move the Able fire smoke plume generally in a north and northeast direction. The atmosphere will remain moist and overnight smoke trapping will remain rather minimal, but light winds overnight may allow smoke concentrations to increase slightly through the overnight period. Smoke is possible from the 2500 block of Argent Blvd to the intersection of Argent Blvd and Okatie Hwy primarily during the early morning hours, dissipating by mid-morning Friday. Locations closest to the Able Contracting Recycling facility along Schinger Avenue are more likely to experience smoke at any given time.
The Able Contracting Information 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.
Please click here for real-time data from the air sensors.
For media inquiries: media@dhec.sc.gov.
For other inquiries: ablefire@dhec.sc.gov.