MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A West Virginia native living in Myrtle Beach is finding it hard to sleep as forest fires rage only hundreds of yards from her home.

“We’re definitely living on anxiety and caffeine,” said Tammi Pierce who lives in a subdivision in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach.

The fire had spread to more than 1600 acres according to Pierce who said she and her family have bags packed ready to leave if they need to go. So far, that hasn’t happened.

The fires were first noticed on Saturday as Pierce and her family had an outdoor gathering and the smoke was thick in the air. By Sunday night things had turned far worse.

“You can see the sky glow at night. We woke up in the middle of the night to ridiculous smoke. You couldn’t go outside because you couldn’t breathe and it was starting to seep into the house so we took towels and blankets to cover up windows and doors,” she said.

Pierce is a Fairmont, W.Va. native, but moved to Myrtle Beach 15 years ago. She said she’s never had to endure anything like this.

“We had a fire when we first moved here, but it was nowhere near a residential area. Carolina Forest is one of the biggest residential areas of Myrtle Beach so this is terrifying,” she added.

She also lauded local firefighters and other first responders who have been moving up and down the area at all hours trying to get things under control. She said rain in the forecast is the best thing she’s heard.

“Yes, rain would be a welcome site,” she added.