Image by South Carolina Forestry CommissionImage by 20090428-fire.jpg At least 76 homes were destroyed in the multi-day blaze.

After burning some 19,500 acres, destroying 76 homes, and damaging 96 more: The Myrtle Beach fire is nearly 98% contained and efforts are shifting towards focusing on the aftermath and cleanup.

Read more stories on this subject in our Myrtle Beach fire topic page.

The damage in insurance claims alone is expected to top $25 million, and roads closures due to smoke are still expected.

If you want to help out, officials are asking that people do not send any more material items, but instead consider monetary donations. The Myrtle Beach Sun News has details on how and why.

Meanwhile, if you have immediate questions about the fire you can still call the Horry County emergency call center from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (843) 915-5150.

Smoke and the potential for a re-burn are dangers for certain, and are keeping are requiring that a large number of fire personnel and equipment stay on the scene.

The Forestry Commission is warning sightseers to steer clear of the burn areas as, "stump holes, snags, tractors, helicopter drops and smoke still pose many dangers for residents venturing into the fire area."

Also worth noting is that the statewide ban on outdoor burning has been lifted -- however officials remind that you still need to follow notification guidelines.