Dense smoke early this morning is adding to the adversity caused by a coupleof wildfires raging across the South. The thick smoke has forced officials toclose roads near Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Alligator Alley in South Florida.The blaze near Myrtle Beach has consumed just under 5,000 acres sinceigniting around noon ET on Wednesday. WMBF-TV reports the land charred by thefire lies in the corridor from Conway to North Myrtle Beach. Winds gusting upto 30 mph helped fanned the blaze. One home has been destroyed. Two others weredamaged.
The blaze died down early this morning in response to lighter winds.
Firefighters should further get an upper hand on the fire later today as windsremain from the southwest at 7 to 14 mph.
The smoke being produced by the fire will severely impact travelers earlythis morning. The smoke has become trapped at the surface, resulting inextremely poor visibility. Officials were forced to close Highways 31 and90.
A similar situation has unfolded in South Florida, according to WBBH-TV.
Heavy smoke from a 500-acre blaze led to the closure of a seven-mile stretch ofInterstate 75's Alligator Alley.
Visibility will improve later this morning in both South Florida and nearMyrtle Beach as the dense smoke lifts. The roadways should reopen unless thefires pose an immediate threat.
The thick smoke around both blazes will make breathing difficult. Those withrespiratory problems, the elderly and children are especially urged to remainindoors. This advice should be ignored, however, if the fires prompt anevacuation order for your area.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski
