Wildfires ravage North and South Carolina, prompting evacuations and state of emergency
Fires affecting thousands of acres across North and South Carolina are thought to have been fueled by increased winds, dry air and unusually high temperatures.
Katie MatherReporter
Tue, March 4, 2025 at 1:31 AM GMT+75 min read
Firefighter crews on Monday were battling more than 170 wildfires across North and South Carolina, which have prompted evacuations in certain areas and a state of emergency.
The largest fire stretched across 1,600 acres in Horry County, S.C., the fourth-most-populated area in the state, and threatened the nearby Carolina Forest community near Myrtle Beach. Residents were told they could return home on Sunday after the South Carolina Forestry Commission announced the fire was about 30% contained.
A combination of dry fuels, limited rainfall and low humidity in the Carolina areas are being blamed for the fires, the U.S. Forest Service said. The National Weather Service issued a warning on Saturday of “elevated” fire weather throughout the Southeast due to critically low relative humidity and dry fuels, meaning low moisture in vegetation and plants, which helps spread wildfires.
As firefighters continue to battle and contain the fires across the two states, no injuries have been reported and no buildings have been lost in the fires, Horry County officials said.
While some evacuation orders have been lifted in affected communities, residents are still being warned about poor driving and air quality conditions due to the heavy smoke.
Where things stand in South Carolina
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday and issued a statewide burn ban in response to the wildfires impacting roughly 4,200 acres across the state. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning and campfires.
“This State of Emergency ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities from these wildfires, have the resources they need,” McMaster said in a statement. “Dangerous wildfire conditions require that a statewide burning ban remain in effect until further notice. Those who violate this ban will be subject to criminal prosecution.” ...
