Georgetown County firefighters stayed very busy the past three days battling brush fires from south of Maryville to near Andrews.

The biggest blaze was Saturday in a large wooded area on East CCC Road, which is near the Georgetown Marine Institute off U.S. Highway 17.

The fire was reported at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday. When the first firefighters arrived they reported the size of the fire was about 50 acres.

The flames spread quickly and had doubled in size in about an hour.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission was requested to respond with plows to cut a fire line around the blaze.

Forestry spokesman Scott Hawkins said it took about five hours to bring the fire under control after it charred about 300 acres. If it had not been contained, about 700 acres was in danger of burning.

On Friday, there were several brush fires along U.S. Highway 521 between Georgetown and Andrews. Although the cause of these fires is still under investigation, arson is suspected.

When crews arrived on the scene Friday afternoon, they reported four or five separate fires in the area of Highway 521 and the Andrews Bypass. At about the same time, fires were reported in the Ports Creek area as well as near Garrison Road, closer to Georgetown.

The fires were extinguished — some quicker than others — but firefighters had to respond later for rekindles. Even on Sunday, one of the fires near Kent Road started back.

The county requested Forestry’s law enforcement division to respond to help investigate the cause of the fires.

Hawkins said Sunday he had not received a report from the agents who are investigating.

By Sunday, the humidity in the area had increased and scattered showers were expected which should decrease the fire danger. Nevertheless, extreme caution still needs to be taken when burning.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com