A man cited for causing a 178 acre wildfire was clearing and burning land that he did not own, according to Charles Jordan, the owner of the property.
Monday, Jordan confirmed that his company, Perry Place Incorporated, owns the three plots of land the South Carolina Forestry Commission says Larry Michael Faircloth was burning on Saturday afternoon.
The Forestry Commission cited Faircloth after his debris burn caused a wildfire near the Legends neighborhood off Highway 501.
Two of the plots are listed on Horry County's land records website as wetland buffer zones.
Jordan, visited the land on Monday. He declined an on-camera interview, saying he wanted to check with the Army Corp of Engineers before he made an official comment.
But he did say he was amazed Faircloth put up a fence around his property and started to claim it as his own.
The Corp regulates most wetland buffer zones, which provide a protective barrier between wetlands and neighborhoods. They serve as a filter so toxins and pollutants do not spread to nearby wildlife.
Corp of Engineer spokesperson Sara Corbett said the agency is investigating whether they regulate this particular piece of land.
Corbett said if the Corp does oversee this land, no one is allowed to touch it.
Jordan said Faircloth made an offer for this land some time ago, but his company never responded to the offer.
Jordan said Faircloth is trespassing on his land.
Saturday, Faircloth was given two tickets in connection with the wildfire; one for allowing fire to escape and burning lands and another for failure to take proper precautions for an outdoor debris burn. If found guilty, he could face a fine of up to $720, said Forestry Commission spokesman Scott Hawkins.
In addition to the tickets, Faircloth was arrested on outstanding warrants relating to check fraud. He was released from jail on Sunday after posting bail.
We went to Faircloth's home and called his house Monday to ask him about Jordan's allegations but were not able to reach him for comment.
