The Mayor of N. Myrtle Beach has asked Gov. Sanford for help

[Are_grits_groceries]

because of the fire.

He'll probably tell her to pray for rain, and that they should be able to handle it.

[dgibby]

1. Maybe Sanford will go down there and piss on the flames

like he does with everything else in the state.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. Somebody will have to drive him.

He only knows his way to Charleston. He might show up if there is enough teevee coverage.

[dgibby]

4. True!

BTW, wouldn't you think if he's so hot to pay down the debt that he'd refuse his salary? After all, he's a multimillionaire, so it's not like he needs the money. Also, I wonder if he gets his "retirement" pay from the US Senate.

Do you know if his kids are in public schools? Last I remember, they were being home schooled or in private schools but I may be wrong.

[Are_grits_groceries]

6. I know they aren't in public schools.

I also think he should work for $1 a year.

[dgibby]

9. That would be a waste of a perfectly good dollar!

[W_HAMILTON]

3. I just woke up, and didn't realize how big it has gotten.

You know it's bad news when it makes the frontpage of CNN and MSNBC.

I wonder how this will be dealt with? I doubt we have much experience in this area with wildfires on this large scale.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. Who knows??

There a huge fire there in the '70s that burned over 35000 acres. Hopefully they will get some experienced help from other states if they can. It is supposed to get worse around noon.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

7. I was heading back home (Holden Beach, NC) after going to Charleston

on a family emergency. I got to the Myrtle Beach area at around 12:30 and the shortcuts I take were all blocked off... The area of the fire looked huge and the smoke could even be seen at my home by the beach. A lot of people were stopped by the roadside taking pictures. It looked to be pretty bad.

[cwydro]

8. I spent much of my youth in the Myrtle Beach area.

I hope they get this under control.

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. It's now burned over 15000 acres.

That's twice the size it was this AM.

[cwydro]

11. I haven't been paying any attention to the news.

Gonna go check it out.

How awful.

[supernova]

12. That's what a Wilmington station is reporting - 15K acres

That's huge. I'd better check on my aunt. She lives in Cherry Grove, SC, just up from N. Myrtle Beach.

[Are_grits_groceries]

14. Google Barefoot Resort.

That entire development is surrounded by the fire. I'm not sure which way the prevailing winds are. If they go East, it could jump the Intracoastal Waterway and Highway 17. Then you are on the beach.

[dgibby]

13. According to WCBD, local NBC affiliate in Charleston,

Gov. Sanford has declared a state of emergency in Horry Co. Approx. 2,000 people have been evacuated, 3 emergency shelters set up, fire intensifying, more evacs. may be necessary, dozens of homes burned.

[dgibby]

15. SC declares state wide outdoor burn ban.(WBDJ News)

Also, National Guard called in the fight fire in Horry Co, air drops to start. Sandford to hold press conference at 11:30AM,EDT, according to MSNBC.

[Are_grits_groceries]

16. Jeebus!

Think he'll ask for federal help?? Will he ask Obama to declare it a federal SOE??

[dgibby]

17. Not if he can help it.

[dgibby]

18. Weather report for N. Myrtle Beach

Dense smoke advisory, visibility to less than one quarter mile across far eastern Horry Co. Wind at 6mph, blowing east. Expected to pick up this afternoon. Afternoon sea breeze may spread smoke/ash to the north later today.(according to Weather Channel/AOL News).

MSNBC reporting that fire is creating it's own wind/weather. More than 100 homes damaged, with 40 destroyed.