Man Pleads Guilty to Starting South Carolina Wildfire

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) - A man fined for starting a blaze several days before the most destructive wildfire in South Carolina history has pleaded guilty and will pay $732.

Marc Torchi admitted to not notifying officials of a burn and allowing a fire on his land to spread to a neighbor's property. But he and his attorney, Paul Taylor, say he's not responsible for the larger wildfire that destroyed 76 homes and damaged nearly 100 others on South Carolina's Grand Strand in April.

Torchi, who requested a trial, said earlier he's been unfairly blamed.

Torchi says he called Horry County firefighters when his fire got out of control and firefighters thought they had completely put it out.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission released the following statement Wednesday:

Today Mark Torchi pleaded guilty on charges of allowing fire to spread to another's land and failure to notify the SC Forestry Commission about an outdoor debris burn. While much attention has been paid to this case due to the subsequent Highway 31 Fire, it is important to remember that the charges made against Mr. Torchi (in the form of two tickets) and today's trial relates only to the debris burn he conducted on his property on 4/18/2009. Mr. Torchi at no time has been held criminally responsible for the larger wildfire. Today's verdict finds him guilty solely for those offences for which he was ticketed, not the Highway 31 Fire.

A few points to remember about this case and the investigation:

· After the SCFC responded to the Highway 31 Fire on 4/22/09, an investigation was conducted to determine the origin and cause of that fire.

· SCFC Investigators used witness statements, along with their experience in wildland fire origin & cause investigation (documentation of scientific wildfire spread indicators) to document that Mr. Torchi lit an illegal backyard debris burn on 4/18/09. That fire spread onto the adjoining property and Horry County fire officials responded.

· According to dispatch records, Mr. Torchi did not notify the SCFC before conducting an outdoor burn, as required by Title 48, Chapter 35-10 of the SC Code of Laws, the Notification and Precautions Law. $262.50 maximum fine. (1st ticket)

· SCFC Law Enforcement issued a summons to Mr. Torchi for a violation of Title 16, Chapter 11-180 of the SC Code of Laws, Allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another. $470.00 maximum fine. (2nd ticket)