Mulch fire causes reduced visibility in Oconee County

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Fire officials are warning drivers to be vigilant when traveling on Highway 123 as heavy smoke from a days-old fire is reducing visibility in the area.

Last Thursday, fire crews were called to Davis Mill Road for a mulch pile fire . Crews were able to keep the fire from spreading Thursday evening, but efforts to completely extinguish the fire have been unsuccessful due to the size and nature of the fire.

“Teams have been responding to this location since the initial reports of a fire on Thursday evening. After the initial attempt to extinguish the mulch pile for five hours with a significant amount of water, the fire re-lit,” said Fire Chief Christopher Smith in a news release. “At that time, it was determined to let the fire burn out on its own.”

While crews wait on the fire to burn itself out, drivers should expect smoke from the fire to continue to reduce visibility in the area.

“Persons traveling along Highway 123 near this site should drive with caution due to smoke and potential visibility issues,” said Emergency Services director Scott Krien.

The South Carolina Forestry Service has established a fire line and will continue working to keep the fire continued. The mulch pile is expected to smolder for “an extended period of time.”

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

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