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“Increased fire danger” warnings were issued across North and South Carolina on Tuesday, with winds in the region expected to pick up and humidity forecast to plummet.
Firefighters are continuing to battle blazes that started tearing through both states over the weekend, including the large brush fire – the Carolina Forest fire – that broke out five miles north of Myrtle Beach.
The Carolina Forest fire – the largest fire across the two states – has torched more than 2,000 acres and remains just 30 percent contained, according to a Tuesday upate from Horry County Fire Rescue. A smoky Myrtle Beach announced it was “open” and said it would welcome visitors despite the wildfire raging nearby.
The HCFR deployed drones to support ground crews as they reinforced break lines and set up sprinkler systems to saturate the ground. A state-wide burn ban will stay in effect until further notice.
Another wildfire has spread to almost 600 acres around the towns of Tryon and Saluda in North Carolina’s Polk County. It was 63 percent contained.
Over the weekend, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency after approximately 175 blazes were recorded across the Carolinas.
South Carolina emergency officials warn residents of severe weather threats
Julia Musto4 March 2025 18:30
South Carolina’s Carolina Forest wildfire may have started in someone’s backyard
Horry County Fire Rescue Spokesperson Tony Casey said Monday that the 1,600-acre Carolina Forest wildfire began in someone’s backyard in the Walk Woods neighborhood, according to WPDE.
A resident reported the flames at 2:39 p.m. EST on Saturday.
The fire is believed to have been human-caused.
It has brought thick smoke, that’s impacted visibility and air quality.
“It’s horrible and that’s actually why I stopped here on my way to work because I can’t breathe. I’m congested and my chest is on fire. It’s just really bad right now,” Cindy Hayden told ABC 11 News.
Julia Musto4 March 2025 18:15
Neighboring Georgia is also under an elevated fire risk today
Neighboring Georgia is also under an elevated fire risk.
The Georgia Forestry Commission said on Monday that it has responded to nearly 500 wildfires within the past week.
Like in the Carolinas, low relative humidity levels and dry conditions are contributing to the situation.
“Dry branches, dead trees and twig can really get fires going,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said. “Our conditions remain abnormally dry. Although the relative humidity is going will be higher, the strong wind is going to outweigh that in many ways.”
Julia Musto4 March 2025 17:45
Carolina wildfire map: North and South Carolina under increased fire danger as strong winds threaten region
Julia Musto4 March 2025 17:00
South Carolina winds could gust to up to 25mph
A massive wildfire in the Carolina Forest area of South Carolina is burning for a fourth straight day, pushing smoke toward highways and residences.
Winds in the areas are expected to pick up, with WMBF forecasting gusts of 20 to 25 miles per hour in the afternoon.
Julia Musto4 March 2025 16:45
Carolina Forest Fire still over 2,000 acres and 30 percent contained
The Myrtle Beach Area Carolina Forest Fire remains at just over 2,000 acres and 30 percent containment on Tuesday morning.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said that containment lines had been established around the actively burning fire.
“Work continues reinforcing and expanding those firebreaks around the perimeter,” it said in a post.
The fire is believed to be human-caused, but an investigation has not been completed.
Julia Musto4 March 2025 16:30
