South Carolina Grapples with Widespread Wildfires Amid High Winds and Dry Conditions

Columbia, SC – March 1, 2025 – South Carolina is in the throes of a severe wildfire outbreak, with the Carolina Forest area in Horry County emerging as a critical hotspot. Fueled by high winds and arid conditions, the fires have triggered widespread evacuations and prompted a decisive response from state authorities, including a statewide burning ban issued by Governor Henry McMaster. As firefighting teams, bolstered by aircraft, work tirelessly to contain the blazes, officials have yet to confirm the extent of containment, leaving residents on edge.

The crisis escalated Saturday as flames tore through Horry County, threatening residential neighborhoods and forcing evacuations in multiple communities. In Carolina Forest, the Walkers Woods and Avalon neighborhoods bore the brunt of the initial response, with Horry County Fire Rescue ordering residents to flee as the fire encroached on homes. By late evening, evacuation orders expanded to include the Indigo Bay, The Farm, and Summerlyn neighborhoods, according to a midnight update from county officials. The South Carolina Forestry Commission pegged the Carolina Forest fire at nearly 600 acres as of early Sunday, with containment efforts still in flux.

Further south, the Prince George community in Georgetown County faced its own emergency, with residents urged to evacuate as a separate blaze raged nearby. Georgetown County officials reported late Saturday that the Prince George fire had been declared contained, sparing structures, though an exact acreage estimate remained pending. Another fire near North Santee, impacting roughly 800 acres, was also contained, but authorities cautioned that rapidly shifting conditions could reignite threats.

The fires’ ferocity stems from a dangerous confluence of weather factors: gusty winds, low humidity, and parched vegetation following a dry February. The National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning across much of the Southeast, signaling extreme fire risk, set to expire at 10 p.m. Saturday. “The wind today has absolutely just been killing us,” said Doug Woods, a spokesperson for the South Carolina Forestry Commission, noting that at least 35 fires erupted statewide on Saturday alone. “Low relative humidity and drying fuels from the lack of significant rain are leading to rapid spread.”

In response, Governor McMaster announced a statewide burning ban Saturday evening, prohibiting all outdoor burning—including yard debris, prescribed burns, and campfires—in unincorporated areas until further notice. “That means you can and will go to jail for starting a fire outdoors in South Carolina. Period,” McMaster warned in a social media post, underscoring the severity of the situation as first responders stretched thin across the state.

Firefighting efforts have leaned heavily on both ground and air resources. Horry County Fire Rescue, alongside North Myrtle Beach Fire and the South Carolina Forestry Commission, deployed crews and heavy machinery to carve firebreaks and protect structures. Aircraft, including those dropping water or retardant, have been a visible presence, though officials have not disclosed specific containment percentages for the Carolina Forest blaze, citing its dynamic nature. Drones operated by fire crews have provided critical aerial surveillance, though the county has urged residents to refrain from flying personal drones, which risk interfering with operations.

Evacuees from Carolina Forest have sought refuge at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center, now managed by the American Red Cross, offering cots, food, and supplies overnight. Local businesses, including Vacation Myrtle Beach, have stepped up, offering discounted hotel rates to displaced residents, while VCA Palmetto Animal Hospital has opened its doors to board pets.

As night fell, the situation remained fluid. A 9:30 p.m. update from Horry County indicated the fire was actively burning behind Avalon, stretching toward Highway 90, with International Drive closed to facilitate emergency access. Residents of Tuckahoe Road and Wyandot Court were permitted to return home earlier Saturday, though officials cautioned that re-evacuation could be necessary if winds, expected to intensify with a frontal passage, reignite the flames. 17GEN4.com