Lighter winds helped crews in South Carolina and North Carolina battle wildfires as forecasters warned that an elevated fire danger would continue due to dry conditions.
“The combination of dry fuels, limited rainfall, and very low humidity will lead to an elevated risk of adverse fire behavior today,” officials at the US Forest Service’s National Forests in North Carolina cautioned in a post on Facebook.
The warning comes as the National Weather Service’s Wilmington office advised drivers to be careful on roads, with smoke-filled skies resulting in “slow and difficult travel in the Myrtle Beach area”.
The smoke has affected schools in the state, forcing some athletic practices indoors.
Firefighters are continuing to battle blazes that began tearing through North and South Carolina over the weekend, including an enormous fire near Myrtle Beach that doubled in size over the weekend.
More than 175 blazes were recorded in South Carolina over the weekend covering 17 square kilometers.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency “to further support wildfire response efforts across the state” and ensure first responders “continue to have the resources they need.”
Key Points
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Lighter winds help crews fighting wildfires in South and North Carolina
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South Carolina governor reacts to wildfire response: ‘It could have been much worse’
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In pictures: Firefighters tackle blazes in the Carolinas
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Officials issue smoke advisory: ‘This will limit some visibility for motorists and residents’
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Evacuated residents allowed to return home
Drones deployed to assist fire crews on the ground
08:38 , James Liddell
Horry County Fire Rescue deployed drones on Monday evening to support ground crews and bolster its fire monitoring activity.
It comes as the Carolina Forest fire – the largest fire in the Carolinas – has grown to more than 2,000 acres and remains just 30 percent contained, according to a late-night update on Monday from the fire service.
“With HCFR drones in the sky this evening, monitoring fire activity, crews on the ground have been responding in real-time,” it said.
Fire crews continue to reinforce break lines and set up sprinkler systems to saturate the ground, the fire service added.
South Carolina governor hails firefighters’ ‘great performance’
07:52 , Namita Singh
South Carolina governor Henry D McMaster has applauded firefighters for their efforts.
“The report that I’ve received so far, there have been no buildings lost and no lives lost,” he said.
“It was a great performance.”
Firefighters battle a blaze in the Carolina Forest neighborhood on 2 March 2025 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Getty Images)
Meanwhile, evacuated residents were allowed to return on Sunday evening, said Horry County Fire Rescue in a statement.
However, due to thick and dangerous smoke, the agency has advised motorists to stay off roads in the fire zone.
Firefighters gain ground on Carolina wildfires amid persistent dry spell
06:50 , Namita Singh
Firefighters in the Carolinas are making progress in containing a series of wildfires that ignited over the weekend, even as fresh blazes emerged due to ongoing dry conditions.
In South Carolina, a wildfire spanning 1,700 acres in the Carolina Forest community near Myrtle Beach was at least 30 per cent contained, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
Thick smoke blanketed parts of the Myrtle Beach area on Monday, significantly reducing visibility across the low-lying terrain.
Smoke rises behind homes as firefighters battle a blaze in the Carolina Forest neighborhood on 2 March 2025 (Getty Images)
Horry County Fire Rescue urged residents to remain cautious, warning that poor visibility caused by lingering smoke could persist until Tuesday morning.
Efforts to control the flames have been bolstered by aerial support from the South Carolina National Guard.
The guard deployed two Black Hawk helicopters and a Chinook, which have collectively dropped around 60,000 gallons of water on the Carolina Forest fire.
Polk County wildfire containment reaches 63%
05:52 , Namita Singh
In Polk County, officials said on Monday that containment of wildfires along highway US-176 had reached 63 per cent.
The news brought a sigh of relief for residents in Saluda and Tryon.
“We were really scared,” Tryon resident Carol Powell told ABC 13 News. “We’re just really glad to see these helicopters and airplanes out here knowing they’re trying to contain this fire.”
Explaining the efforts by the firefighters, NC Forest Service public information officer Jeremy Waldrop said: “[Crews] secured lines. They burned out lines. They secured around these houses. All of these lines and stuff will be patrolled tonight by local crews here and brush trucks.”
“Numerous volunteer fire departments and departments coming from numerous counties have come in,” Mr Waldrop said.
“Hand crews, forest service bridge crews are in. We’ve got [the] North Carolina Wildlife Services Commission. There have been resources coming up from South Carolina as well to assist.”
Officials urge caution as wildfire smoke could impact air quality
05:22 , Namita Singh
Officials across the Carolinas warned of poor air quality because of smoke.
“What we are really concerned about in the health realm is not what you can see but it’s what you can’t see,” said Fran Marshall, Director of Science Services at the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.
“The small particles are there too. The smaller particles when you breathe them in get down further in your body and cause aggravation.”
In a drier-than-normal winter, a weekend cold front moved through the area, bringing high winds without the usual rain that accompanies the weather systems in the South and increasing the fire danger.
A firefighter battles a flare-up in the Carolina Forest neighborhood on 2 March 2025 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Getty Images)
The area near Myrtle Beach is one of the most dangerous for wildfires in South Carolina as hundreds of years of decomposing vegetation creates peat, which when it dries out can burn for a long time.
Pine trees and other waxy vegetation provide fuel for fires to rapidly spread in dry, windy conditions.
Horry County’s population has doubled to 400,000 people over the past 25 years. Many of those newcomers have moved into neighborhoods being rapidly built right next to the oval Carolina Bays where peat and flammable vegetation all grows together.
Fires have been part of the natural landscape of the bays for centuries.
Over 800 wildfires reported in North Carolina in one week
05:10 , Namita Singh
North Carolina Fire Services responded to over 800 wildfires from 24 February to 3 March, with forest officials saying most were accidental fires caused by humans.
“Those 806 wildfires, those were human caused wildfires. So, we’re not talking about lightning, we’re talking about folks recreating; whether it was campfires, or it was just open burning,” said Philip Jackson of North Carolina Forest Service.
Firefighters organize hoses in the Carolina Forest neighborhood on 2 March 2025 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Getty Images)
Forest officials urged caution to prevent such blazes.
“We urge land owners to use caution when operating any type of power tools, chainsaws, four-wheelers, [because] any type of spark in the woods or in the dry brush and grass can lead to explosive fire potential,” Guilford County Ranger Jimmy Holt was quoted as saying by CBS affiliate WFMY News 2.
North Carolina’s Cherokee County issues a burn ban
05:00 , Julia Musto
Officials impose bans on outdoor fires
04:09
Officials in South Carolina have banned almost all outdoor fires, including burning yard debris and campfires. They told residents to call 911 if they see a neighbor setting a fire.
“You can and will go to jail for starting a fire outdoors in South Carolina. Period,” governor Henry McMaster wrote on social media.
Burn bans were also in place in western North Carolina.
Firefighters attend to a flare-up in the Carolina Forest neighborhood on 2 March 2025 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Getty Images)
Some residents in Polk County remained evacuated from their homes as fire crews Monday morning set their own blazes to burn possible wildfire fuel to make it easier to contain a 480 acre (1.9 sq km) fire that was about 30 per cent contained.
Polk County is on the fringes of an area badly hit by Hurricane Helene last year. Fallen trees that have not been cleared are increasing the risk of fires across the region.
North Carolina forest official says Helene debris has been an ‘obstacle’
04:01 , Julia Musto
Debris from Hurricane Helene is hampering firefighting efforts in North Carolina, one official told WSOC-TV.
Fallen trees create obstacles that rangers must carefully navigate around.
“Even though some of the larger Helene debris may not have dried out enough to contribute to the fire intensity, some of it has and it’s certainly an obstacle,” Matt Barker, the District Forester in Mount Holly, said. “It takes more time scouting, working around that debris, identifying where it is and then taking extra precautions and working around it.”
At least 2.5 square miles burnt in Horry County fire
03:39 , Namita Singh
The Horry County fire has burned 2.5 sq miles (6.5 sq km) and was about 30 per cent contained as of Monday evening, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.
The department deployed drones as well as ground crews to respond to flare-up fires, reinforce break lines and set up portable sprinkler systems.
It was the biggest fire in the area since a 2009 wildfire nearby did $42m in damage and destroyed about 75 homes.
Over the weekend, more than 175 blazes were recorded in South Carolina, covering 6.5 sq miles (17 sq km).
Smoke hangs in the air in the Carolina Forest neighborhood on 2 March 2025 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Getty Images)
Lighter winds help crews fighting wildfires in South and North Carolina
03:34 , Namita Singh
Lighter winds on Monday helped crews in South Carolina and North Carolina battle wildfires that caused evacuations and threatened hundreds of homes over the weekend.
Hundreds of firefighters from across South Carolina managed to keep a large blaze in Horry County near Myrtle Beach from destroying any homes despite social media videos of orange skies at night and flames engulfing pine trees just yards away.
Members of law enforcement walk back to their vehicle as firefighters battle a flare-up in the Carolina Forest neighborhood on 2 March 2025 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Getty Images)
Volunteers distributed cases of water and food to firefighters working long hours protecting homes and other structures.
“We’re very, very proud of our first responders,” said Rick Vines, a plumber who was helping with the volunteer effort.
“And we wanted them to feel how proud we were by coming out here and stepping in and making sure they had what they needed so they could focus on what they were here to do.”
Carolina Forest Recreation Center will continue to be utilized for wildfire response
03:00 , Julia Musto
Carolina Forest resident says wildfire smoke has impacted her health
02:00 , Julia Musto
Heather Budner, who lives in Carolina Forest, told The New York Times that she woke up Monday morning and felt a scratchiness in her throat because of all the smoke.
“It’s very unsettling to wake up inside your house feeling like you’re outside camping,” she said.
North Carolina firefighters tackle afternoon brush fire
01:00 , Julia Musto
Firefighting crews battled a large brush fire on Monday in Hope Mills, North Carolina.
It sparked at about 1 p.m. EST, according to ABC 11, spreading to approximately 20 acres before it was contained.
“We’re finally getting some good stores and events over here, so it would not be a good thing if it burned down this soon, or at all for that matter,” one nearby neighbor, identified as Karyn, told the station.
Carolina Forest evacuee reacts: ‘You could literally see’ wildfire smoke
00:01 , Julia Musto
Julinna Oxley, a philosophy professor at Coastal Carolina University, recently told The New York Times that she, her two teenagers, and her two cats had evacuated from their home in Carolina Forest on Sunday night.
“The air purifiers just could not keep up with the amount of smoke that was in the house,” she recalled. “You could literally see it.”
North Carolina Forest officials warn against drone flying after Sunday incident
Monday 3 March 2025 23:00 , Julia Musto
“Our single-engine air tanker, it carries about 800 gallons of water that it can drop on an area that had that aircraft had to turn around yesterday because there was a drone in the air,” Philip Jackson with the N.C. Forest Service, told WNCT on Monday. “And so, when you lose that resource, that puts extra strain on personnel. It also allows that fire to spread and spread even more.”
Forest Service officials said that incident was in District 4, including most of Eastern North Carolina.
Polk County resident recalls watching neighbors’ houses catch on fire
Monday 3 March 2025 22:45 , Julia Musto
“Um…it’s scary to say the least,” Polk County resident Phillip Smith told WBTV on Monday.
Smith and his wife evacuated the area.
“To watch some of our neighbor’s houses catch on fire is something I’ve never experienced before,” he said.
Crews battle woods, structure fire behind North Myrtle Beach High School
Monday 3 March 2025 22:29 , Julia Musto
Horry County Schools may adjust their bus stops
Monday 3 March 2025 22:15 , Julia Musto
Schools in South Carolina’s Horry County might adjust their bus stops this week amid smoke from the Carolina Forest wildfire, WBTW reported Monday.
“All students arrived safely to school this morning,” Horry County Schools spokesperson Lisa Bourcier told the station “
Due to low visibility in several areas of the county, bus drivers moved cautiously with reduced speed.
South Carolina resident recalls Horry County Fire: ‘You just hear like a tornado going out’
Monday 3 March 2025 22:00 , Julia Musto
“The top of the trees really lit up with the big fire and black smoke was just pouring right on top of everything,” Dennis Sprecher, who lives in the Walkers Woods community, near the Carolina Forest, told WMBF on Sunday.
“You just see the raging fire heading towards the houses and everything. I didn’t realize how bad the fire was. You just hear like a tornado going out in the middle of the trees,” he said.
South Carolina National Guard helicopters have dropped 60,000 gallons of water so far
Monday 3 March 2025 21:45 , Julia Musto
South Carolina National Guard Blackhawk helicopters have completed 102 water drops since Sunday night, delivering the equivalent of 60,000 gallons of water over 18 flight hours.
“This is our job,” Capt. Chase Blackwell, from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, told WMBF News. “There is no way to predict the fires with the winds coming, but we are going to do everything that we possibly can in our wheelhouse to make sure that we continue to provide the support that citizens in South Carolina need during this difficult time.”
It could take days to fully contain the Carolina Forest wildfire
Monday 3 March 2025 21:25 , Julia Musto
The South Carolina Forestry Commission told WMBF News on Monday that getting the Carolina Forest wildfire 100 percent contained could take several days.
While its acreage was the same as Sunday evening, the agency noted that there’s concern about winds picking up on Tuesday.
And, while rain in the forecast later this week could help, it also could create other safety concerns.
South Carolina’s Carolina Forest wildfire started in someone’s backyard
Monday 3 March 2025 21:15 , Julia Musto
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. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown.
South Carolina continues operation for 300-acre fire in Lewis Ocean Bays Preserve
Monday 3 March 2025 21:00 , Julia Musto
Horry County warns of overnight visibility problems
Monday 3 March 2025 20:45 , Julia Musto
Polk County says fire update will come later tonight
Monday 3 March 2025 20:30 , Julia Musto
South Carolina governor reacts to wildfire response: ‘It could have been much worse’
Monday 3 March 2025 20:15 , Julia Musto
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster commended the efforts of firefighters and other first responders on Monday, as wildfires continued to burn in his Southeast state. The fires have been fueled by dry conditions (AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking with members of the press on Monday, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said that there had been no buildings lost in the dozens of wildfires that have cropped up over the course of the last few days.
There have also been no deaths reported due to the wildfires, Communications Director Brandon Charochak told The Independent via email on Monday.
“It was a great performance,” McMaster said of the response to the fires. “But, we’ve got to be careful. If you burn things when it’s dry and when the wind’s low, chances are something like this will happen. And, there had been alerts all around the state to not burn things outside.”
The governor said some fires that had been burning previously and “may have come back up.”
“It could have been much worse than it was. But, we had a great team,” McMaster told reporters.
More than 150 wildfires have broken out in Georgia
Monday 3 March 2025 19:45 , Julia Musto
A Georgia wildfire is seen from the sky. Conditions there were also dry, although rain is on the way (Lumpkin County/Georgia Forestry Commission)
Georgia, which neighbors the Carolinas, is also responding to numerous wildfires.
“Yesterday GFC responded to 137 #wildfires that burned 2,390 acres across the state,” the Georgia Forestry Commission said Sunday. “Conditions for today are SLIGHTLY better than yesterday, but we still need you to please be EXTREMELY cautious with anything that may start fires outdoors.”
On Monday, WALB reported that more than 150 blazes had broken out.
“It’s been a minute since we’ve had any significant rain throughout the state pretty much. And then we also have low relative humidity for the past few days. And then Saturday in particular, we had some really gusty winds,” Wendy Burnett, the commission’s public relations director, told the station.
“In fact, we had a red flag warning. So those three things combined really create just a ripe atmosphere for. The slightest spark can create a fire that will just get out of hand and in just a matter of minutes,” she noted. “Really. Really. Bad conditions for wildfires.”
New fire reported in North Carolina’s Wilkes County
Monday 3 March 2025 19:36 , Julia Musto and Mike Bedigan
A new wildfire was reported Monday in North Carolina.
The Millers Creek Fire Department and Wilkes County Fire Department are responding to the blaze, according to WXII 12.
The news comes as neighboring South Carolina continues to fight its own fires.
At its largest the California Forest wildfire grew to more than 1,600 acres, the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported on its official tracking site. As of 5.30 p.m. it was 30 percent contained.
Throughout much of Sunday officials estimated that the size of the blaze was 1,200 acres.
South Carolina National Guard teams conduct wildfire suppression missions
Monday 3 March 2025 19:30 , Julia Musto
South Carolina official on fighting this weekend’s wildfires: ‘Not out of the woods yet’
Monday 3 March 2025 19:15 , Julia Musto
Doug Wood, of the South Carolina Forestry Commission, told The Sun News on Monday that fire crews have been able to get around the 1,600-acre fire in the Myrtle Beach area by creating a perimeter.
The winds were dying down, giving firefighters a bit of a reprieve.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” he told the publication.
North Carolina Forest Service issue stark warning to residents
Monday 3 March 2025 19:00 , Julia Musto
Elevated fire danger continues around Columbia through 8 p.m. EST
Monday 3 March 2025 18:45 , Julia Musto
Light winds help firefighting efforts across the Carolinas
Monday 3 March 2025 18:30 , Julia Musto
Lighter winds helped firefighters across the Carolinas between Sunday and Monday. But, fire weather was forecast to continue (Horry County Government/Facebook)
Lighter winds have helped crews in the Carolinas fight wildfires that caused evacuations over the weekend.
Hundreds of firefighters from across South Carolina fended off the flames threatening Horry County: the biggest fire there in 16 years.
Burn bans were in place in the state and western North Carolina, where some residents remained evacuated on Monday.
Officials have not said what caused any of the fires, but they’ve been fueled by dry conditions.
With reporting from The Associated Press
There’s an air quality alert in Horry County until further notice
Monday 3 March 2025 18:15 , Julia Musto
North Carolina’s Polk County fire is 481 acres and 30 percent contained
Monday 3 March 2025 18:00 , Julia Musto
The wildfire in North Carolina’s Polk County has spread over more than 480 acres, North Carolina Emergency Management Director Bobby Arledge told CNN on Monday.
The blaze is at 30 percent containment. Arledge said a cooler forecast would aid firefighting efforts.
“It’s a big help for our crews, especially with the winds,” he said. “On the first day of the – the first day of the – of the fire, you know, winds were pushing the fire everywhere. With the winds being calmed down, we’re able to get lines in, reinforce lines we’ve already got, do some back burn operations and, you know, protect structures that are in danger.”
Wildfire threat to continue into Tuesday for North Carolina
Monday 3 March 2025 17:45 , Julia Musto
Increased fire danger is in effect on Monday in North Carolina
Monday 3 March 2025 17:30 , Julia Musto
Increased fire danger is in effect across North Carolina on Monday. There has been limited rainfall in the last week (NWS Raleigh/X)
Heavy wildfire smoke forces road closure in Horry County
Monday 3 March 2025 17:00 , Julia Musto
A firefighter carries a hose in the Carolina Forest neighborhood of South Carolina on Sunday. The fire is 30 percent contained (Getty Images)
Heavy smoke is blanketing the Carolina Forest area on Monday, with very low visibility extending up and down Highways 501 and 31 to Water Tower Road.
“International Drive is closed to traffic, with fire gates down approximately a mile down from Highway 90 and approximately one mile west of Ocean Bay Elementary School. This road will remain closed until further notice,” said the county’s Fire Rescue.
“We realize these operations are affecting the normal flow of life in Horry County, and we appreciate the public’s understanding and trust in our teams to make sure everyone stays safe,” it wrote in a Facebook post.
Horry County Government thanks first responders: Response is ‘heartwarming’
Monday 3 March 2025 16:45 , Julia Musto
A red fire truck sits in the street as dark wildfire smoke rises in the background. (Horry County Government/Facebook)
A fire truck is seen next to homes as wildfire smoke fills the blue skies. (Horry County Government/Facebook)
“Horry County is no stranger to large-scale incidents that tax our local resources. To see our partners from neighboring municipalities and counties, and across the state answer our call and come to the aid of our community, is heartwarming.” Randy Webster, the county’s director of public safety, said in a statement.
“From me, County Administration, all of our public safety folks, and our community, a huge thank you,” he said.
North Carolina officials urge residents to practice ‘common sense’ when burning outdoors
Monday 3 March 2025 16:38 , Julia Musto
The North Carolina Forest Service is urging the state’s residents to be diligent about using best practices and common sense with all outdoor fires, including yard debris burns.
Western North Carolina counties dealing with significant storm debris from Hurricane Helene are especially vulnerable to wildfires due to the increased fuel loading from downed timber. Escaped yard debris burns account for nearly half of all wildfires in North Carolina.
“We need you to be prepared and ready for wildfire. Understand that you’re not powerless when it comes to wildfire prevention and risk reduction,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Everyone has a role to play, starting with making good decisions and planning ahead if you intend to start a fire.”
“Careless behaviors, such as burning on the wrong day, leaving a fire unattended, not staying with a fire until it is fully extinguished, can result in a fire escaping and becoming a dangerous wildfire that quickly threatens lives and property,” explained North Carolina Forest Service Assistant Commissioner and State Forester Greg Hicks.
Here’s what to do in smoky conditions
Monday 3 March 2025 16:30 , Julia Musto
Carolina Forest wildfire in photos: Crews respond as smoke fills the air
Monday 3 March 2025 16:15 , Julia Musto
Smoke rises behind homes as firefighters battle a blaze in the Carolina Forest neighborhood of South Carolina. Dozens of fires burned in the state over the weekend (Getty Images)
Property owners watch as firefighters battle a flare-up in the Carolina Forest neighborhood of South Carolina. Residents in the area have been allowed to return home (Getty Images)
Firefighters attend to a flare-up in the Carolina Forest neighborhood. Firefighters have made gains since the weekend (Getty Images)
Firefighters battle a blaze in the Carolina Forest neighborhood of South Carolina. Crews are continuing to work on Monday (Getty Images)
Horry County Red Cross shelter now used to wildfire response operations
Monday 3 March 2025 16:00 , Julia Musto
Myrtle Beach is waking up to smoky skies this morning
Monday 3 March 2025 15:45 , Julia Musto
South Carolina schools are impacted by air quality
Monday 3 March 2025 15:44 , Julia Musto
Planes fill bladders with water from the Intracoastal Waterway and empty the water on hot spots of South Carolina’s Carolina Forest wildfire. Fire danger was elevated for the Carolinas again on Monday (AP)
Schools across the wildfire-stricken Horry County will operate on a regular Monday schedule, according to WBTW.
However, there will be some adjustments made based on area weather and air quality.
Horry County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said athletic practices will be indoor throughout the week as needed.
Schools will monitor the air for shifts.
And, the station reported that the after-school program, typically held at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center, will be held at the Carolina Forest Senior Center.
North Carolina Forest Service warns that ‘increased fire danger’ will continue
Monday 3 March 2025 15:30 , James Liddell and Julia Musto
The U.S. Forest Service is responding to multiple wildfires across the Forests in North Carolina. There were four active fires as of late Sunday (USDA Forest Service, Matt Switzer/Facebook)
Officials at the U.S. Forest Service’s National Forests in North Carolina warned Monday that increased fire danger would continue across the state.
“Fires on the National Forests in North Carolina have crews increasing containment and are not expected to experience any significant growth, especially as weather less beneficial to fire spread moves into the area Tuesday night,” they wrote on Facebook. “The combination of dry fuels, limited rainfall, and very low humidity will lead to an elevated risk of adverse fire behavior today.”
They urged residents to avoid outdoor burning and check for bans and restrictions, noting that “careless debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires.”
Yesterday, they noted that they were using mechanized equipment to “manage heavy fuel loads partly due to Hurricane Helene.”
The largest fire, the Falls Dam Fire in the Uwharrie National Forest, had stretched over more than 400 acres near Montgomery County by Sunday night.