With thousands of acres burning out of control in Horry County and dry breezy conditions, a fire ban has been issued for the entire state.

State Forester Gene Kodama yesterday issued a ban on outdoor burning in all counties in the state. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the state.

Kodama said high winds and low humidity fanned a wildfire in Horry County Wednesday that has burned around 20,000 acres, and the fire is still not contained.

The fire has destroyed 69 homes and a 100 more homes have been damaged.

Other areas of the state have also reported wildland fires, and Bush River firefighters responded to a grass fire last evening on Herman Wise Road that runs between Highway 76 and Bush River Road.

The ban is a response to concerns that with so many S.C. Forestry Commission resources already committed to Horry County, and no immediate relief in sight for that fire, that the agency would be hard-pressed to fight another large magnitude fire.

Some Forestry Commission firefighters from Newberry County are among the 110 state personnel on the Horry County fire scene, and 450 county workers are trying to put out the blaze. Forestry Commission firefighters are at the highest level of readiness and are bracing for intense activity.

Other local officials are also on the ready, but so far none have been called to action.

One of the first to be called up for state work is Sheriff Lee Foster, who serves on a statewide emergency task force. He would coordinate calling other agencies to help with the situation in Horry County.

The public is asked to immediately report any suspicious smoke or fire to 911 or the Forestry Commission Dispatch Center, 1-800-777-FIRE.

Violators of the burning ban are subject to fines of up to $100 plus costs of court. Forestry Commission officers will be patrolling the state and issuing citations for all illegal fires.