Central South Carolina forest took a blow from wind-whipped fires yesterday when a huge, but undetermined total acreage, was burned over in at least four large blazes.

C. H. Flory, state forester, reported that a large number of fires are burning along highway 601 near the Richland-Kershaw county boundaries. Planes are to be used this morning in an attempt to determine the best points for combatting the blazes. More than 75 men of the state forestry division, 200 soldiers and numerous volunteers are fighting these fires. A heavy and a light tractor unit are being used to plow firebreaks in attempts to halt the fire.

Reports from the Camden district put forest fires at more than 15 points at one time or another during the day, with over 1,000 fighters battling the flames.

The largest blaze during the day, but now under control, was in Lugoff where a fire that started midway between Blaney and Lugoff roared over an area four miles long and from a mile to a mile-and-a-half to two miles in width. It was brought under control late in the afternoon.

Three hundred soldiers fought a fire in the vicinity of Twin Lakes in the Fort Jackson reservation for over three hours, from 6 until after 9 o’clock last night before bringing it under control.

Forest fires which broke out about noon in the Cheraw state park area, destroyed about 25 square miles of timberlands, with conservative estimates already totaling more than a half-million dollars.

Fires destroyed completely a six-room home occupied by park foreman, William McMillan, with all of his household effects and belongings. Fire also destroyed the Laurel picnic shelter, two latrines, several tables and other picnic facilities. Laurel picnic area was the first picnic area developed in the state park system.

Dogwood picnic area was also burned though destroying many dogwoods in bloom. The Cheraw city fire department, state park and state forest personnel, the Chesterfield county ranger and fire fighters saved other buildings from burning, including a large recreation building and nine family vacation cabins. The park superintendent’s residence and a number of private home which were endangered by the fire were also saved. At one time the flames trapped three fire fighters who saved themselves by jumping into the lake. A light fire fighting tractor from sandhills state forest was destroyed in the fire.

The blaze started about 12:15 yesterday near United States Highway One, burned into and across

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the park to U. S. 52 and jumped that highway. The origin of the fire is undetermined and is being investigated. Park Superintendent George Holder, estimated between three and four thousand acres burned.

The dense smoke on U. S. No. 1 and U. S. 52 caused a serious traffic hazard, but no injuries were reported. State highway patrolmen directed traffic at the danger points.

Another Chesterfield county fire at Campbell’s pond, a state park for Negroes, on United States Highway No. 1 near Cheraw state park, burned through the area but no equipment facilities were reported destroyed.

A third fire in Chesterfield county was reported in the San Hill state forest near Patrick. This fire was a breakover of an earlier fire. High winds caused the fire to start again and get out of control.

A fourth fire broke out near the Fish and Wildlife service headquarters near U. S. No. 1. All Chesterfield county fire were reported under control last night.

State Forester Charles H. Flory said yesterday current fires would be extremely destructive because the trees and other vegetation are in an active growing stage at this time.

Gusts as high as 37 miles an hour yesterday were reported by the weather bureau and continued high winds were forecast for today.

Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Sumter, Lexington, Richland, counties in the sand hill sections reported fires yesterday. Other sections where fires were burning included Aiken, Horry, Orangeburg, Lexington, Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Dillon and Florence.

States Forester Flory said yesterday a number of the fires near the Richland-Kershaw county boundaries near Highway 601 were started as backfires by residents of the area to protect their homes. The fires in some cases got out of control when fanned by high wind.

Mr. Flory said no rain was expected today, according to weather reports. He said the areas would be plotted from the aid early this morning to determine the best places to put men and equipment to combat the blazes.