Carolina wildfires latest: One arrested and another cited with illegal burning as fire danger warning issued

“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.

Key Points

• ‘Fire danger’ alert issued for North and South Carolina

• Carolina wildfire map: North and South Carolina under increased fire danger as strong winds threaten region

• Carolina Forest fire swells to over 2,000 acres

• South Carolina’s Carolina Forest wildfire may have started in someone’s backyard

• ‘No buildings and no lives lost,’ South Carolina governor says

• Firefighters gain upper hand on Polk County wildfire

Firefighters battle Myrtle Beach wildfires as residents struggle with smoke and safety concerns

05:42 , Namita Singh

Fire crews in Myrtle Beach have been working non-stop for four days to contain wildfires that erupted over the weekend and spread rapidly across South Carolina.

Hundreds of firefighters from at least 33 departments across the state, including many from the Midlands, have been deployed to Horry County to bring the flames under control.

Residents have described the fear and disruption caused by the fires, with many taking precautions to protect themselves and their homes.

“Seeing smoke in the back of the reserve and driving back there, I’ve never seen anything like this in my entire life,” Tiffany Baccari, whose home sits on the edge of a burning forested area, told NBC affiliate WIS10. She said smoke had filled her house, making it difficult for her and her children to breathe.

“They will be going to the paediatrician as soon as this is over and getting their lungs checked,” Ms Baccari added.Another resident, watching the emergency response from her patio, expressed concern about the health risks for young children.

“I am honestly not worried about my house, I’m worried about my son, who is one and a half, almost two, whose lungs are still growing,” she said.

Many locals have been taking their own measures, such as watering down their properties, to prevent the fire from spreading.

Mike Able, a resident who witnessed the fast-moving flames firsthand, said his backyard was consumed by fire while he was away on Saturday afternoon.“Horry County Fire Rescue saved my house.

My neighbour has a security camera over here that showed these guys fighting the fire—my fence was already melted, I mean, you can see in the grass it was already burning up to the house, then it melted the side of the house,” Mr Able told the outlet.

Despite the frightening experience, he said he was grateful that his home was still standing.

South Carolina National Guard aircraft have dropped nearly 265,000 gallons of water

05:00 , Julia Musto

Two charged with illegal burning amid Carolina Forest wildfire

04:19 , Namita Singh

Authorities in South Carolina have charged two individuals with illegal burning as firefighters continue to battle the Carolina Forest wildfire.

However, officials have not confirmed whether these incidents contributed to the blaze.

Horry County emergency management director Randy Webster told a council meeting on Tuesday that one person had been cited, while another had been taken into custody, reported CBS affiliate WBTW.

“There’s been one citation issued for an individual who was burning outside this location, and one is now resting probably somewhat comfortably at J Reuben Long for the same thing,” Mr Webster said.

He stressed the importance of preventing unnecessary strain on emergency services. “It is serious, and we’re taking it serious. We do not need to tax our resources unnecessarily,” he added.

County spokesperson Mikayla Moskov clarified that the illegal burns took place in Conway and the northern part of the county but were unrelated to the 2,059 acre (8.33 sq km) Covington Drive wildfire, the largest in the state.

South Carolina has been under a statewide burn ban since 1 March, following nearly 200 wildfires. Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday, indefinitely extending the restriction.

South Carolina National Guard helicopters fight state’s massive blaze

04:00 , Julia Musto

Severe storm sweeps US with blizzards, wildfires, and tornado threats

03:53 , Namita Singh

A powerful storm is sweeping across the United States, bringing blizzards, wildfires, and the threat of tornadoes to multiple regions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that parts of Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico face a heightened risk of wildfires due to warm, dry conditions, reported NPR.

Meanwhile, areas with high humidity are bracing for severe thunderstorms, hail, and potential tornadoes through Wednesday, with Louisiana, Arkansas, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida among those at risk.

Heavy snowfall is forecast in the western US, with the Sierra and Rocky Mountain ranges expected to receive up to two feet of snow. The NWS has also issued blizzard warnings for Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota, predicting six to 12 inches of snow from Iowa to upper Michigan.

In contrast, unseasonably warm temperatures are expected in the Midwest, with the warmth likely to extend further east by Wednesday. Authorities are closely monitoring the evolving weather patterns as the storm continues to move across the country.

Smoke from US wildfires blankets North Carolina’s Triangle region

03:23 , Namita Singh

Smoke drifting from wildfires in North Carolina and South Carolina shrouded the Triangle region in haze on Tuesday, carrying a faint smell of burning.

Despite the altered skies, residents continued their outdoor routines along Durham’s American Tobacco Trail, jogging and walking dogs as usual. Health experts have advised that such activities remain safe under current air quality conditions but urged people to stay informed about any changes.

Dr David Beuther, a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health, told ABC11 that while the scent of smoke is noticeable, it does not pose significant health risks for most individuals unless air quality deteriorates further.

However, he warned that those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart conditions should be particularly cautious.”When the air quality gets bad, generally, we want people with these conditions in the very young and the very old to stay inside,” Dr Beuther said.

“That means windows closed, you know, either central air circulating or air conditioning. Or if it’s warm, the idea is to keep those windows and doors closed and to keep that particulate pollution out. And if you have to go outside, limit that to a short duration.”

Authorities are monitoring air conditions closely as smoke from the wildfires continues to drift across the region.

Watch: S.C. National Guard drops water on Carolina Forest fire

03:00 , Julia Musto

Smoky skies impact Horry County travel

02:01 , Julia Musto

‘YES,’ Myrtle Beach is open

01:00 , Julia Musto

North Carolina disaster recovery centers will have delayed opening

00:00 , Julia Musto

Carolina Forest resident says wildfire smoke has impacted her health

Tuesday 4 March 2025 23:00 , 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 Forest Service dealing with staffing shortages

Tuesday 4 March 2025 22:30 , Julia Musto

North Carolina Forest Service officials said they’ve been hit by staffing shortages, according to WNCT.

“Right now, we’re looking at roughly 100, maybe a little more than 100 vacancies across the state which includes all three regions – Mountain, Piedmont and Coastal Plain,” Philip Jackson told the station. “And those vacancies are pretty evenly distributed.”

“They are the first responders to these wildfires,” he said. “North Carolina averages anywhere between 4,500 to 5,000 wildfires each year. As we mentioned earlier, That usually keeps us top five nationally. Most of our fires get to about two or three acres or less. So, these resources are very good at their jobs.”

‘It was horribly terrifying’: South Carolina resident speaks out about 2,000+-acre blaze

Tuesday 4 March 2025 22:15 , Julia Musto

“I’ve never felt so protected in my life,” Suzanne Pickrell, who lives in the Covington Lake neighborhood of Horry County, told The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach. “I’ve never experienced something so incredible to watch as the way they have protected our neighborhood.”

Pickrell, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said this wildfire caused the most fear because of how fast it spread

“It was horribly terrifying,” she said.

North Carolina governor issues warning ahead of severe weather

Tuesday 4 March 2025 21:44 , Julia Musto

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and emergency officials are urging all North Carolinians to prepare for the possibility of severe weather on Wednesday.

The state faces the potential of severe storms, strong winds, potential flooding, and isolated tornadoes.

“As our state from the mountains to the coast faces a severe storm, strong winds, and potential flooding late tonight and all day tomorrow, we urge all North Carolinians to stay tuned to their local weather forecast and stay safe,” said Stein. “If a severe weather warning for isolated tornadoes is issued for your area, please have a plan to take immediate cover.”

All of North Carolina’s National Forests wildfires are contained

Tuesday 4 March 2025 21:15 , Julia Musto

Polk County gives update on fire

Tuesday 4 March 2025 21:13 , Julia Musto

See South Carolina’s air operations

Tuesday 4 March 2025 20:51 , Julia Musto

Horry County community donates food, other items

Tuesday 4 March 2025 20:16 , Julia Musto

Extreme fire weather is aimed at Texas today

Tuesday 4 March 2025 20:03 , Julia Musto

A fire has already broken out along the south side of the city of San Antonio, according to News 4.

And, there’s one west of the city.

South Carolina fire officials give inside look at wildfire response

Tuesday 4 March 2025 19:48 , Julia Musto

Buncombe County burn ban extended

Tuesday 4 March 2025 19:30 , Julia Musto

An open burn ban in North Carolina’s Buncombe County has been extended, according to the Asheville Citizen Times.

A news release from the county informed the public that the Fire Marshal’s Office has extended the open burn ban through Friday, March 7, at 9 a.m. EST.

Active fires pick up across the Carolinas as winds whip

Tuesday 4 March 2025 19:15 , Julia Musto

‘I’ve never seen a fire move that fast’: Resident recalls Horry County wildfire approach

Tuesday 4 March 2025 19:00 , Julia Musto

Donald Piper, a retired 30-year firefighter, saw external damage around his property in Horry County’s Walker Woods.

“I’ve never seen a fire move that fast,” he told The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach, pointing to the piece of land that was torched next to his home.

South Carolina emergency officials warn residents of severe weather threats

Tuesday 4 March 2025 18:30 , Julia Musto

South Carolina’s Carolina Forest wildfire may have started in someone’s backyard

Tuesday 4 March 2025 18:15 , 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.

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.

Horry County Fire stays at 2,059 acres

Tuesday 4 March 2025 18:00 , Julia Musto

Neighboring Georgia is also under an elevated fire risk today

Tuesday 4 March 2025 17:45 , Julia Musto

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.”

North Carolina under threat of flash floods, tornadoes

Tuesday 4 March 2025 17:31 , Julia Musto

Polk County provides a weather update

Tuesday 4 March 2025 17:15 , Julia Musto

Carolina wildfire map: North and South Carolina under increased fire danger as strong winds threaten region

Tuesday 4 March 2025 17:00 , Julia Musto

Carolina wildfire map: North and South Carolina under increased fire danger

South Carolina winds could gust to up to 25mph

Tuesday 4 March 2025 16:45 , Julia Musto

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.

Carolina Forest Fire still over 2,000 acres and 30 percent contained

Tuesday 4 March 2025 16:30 , Julia Musto

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.

Most evacuation orders have been lifted for Polk County’s 176 Fire

Tuesday 4 March 2025 16:15 , Julia Musto

Lingering wildfire smoke in Horry County creates dangerous travel conditions

Tuesday 4 March 2025 16:00 , Julia Musto

“Due to the nearby wildfire incident, heavy smoke is expected in the Carolina Forest area through at least midday Tuesday,” the Horry County Police Department said Tuesday.

They warned in a Facebook post that visibility in the area may be limited.

“And, while it may be worth driving with extra caution, we encourage the public to carefully go about living as they normally would while paying attention to incident updates,” the department wrote.

15 structures damaged as wildfires tear through N.C. county

Tuesday 4 March 2025 15:55 , James Liddell

Fifteen structures have been damaged in a single North Carolina county as wildfires continue to ravage the state.

The damage was caused after 78 wildfires erupted in Robeson County between Friday and Sunday, emergency officials told News13. Only one of those, situated on Pine Log Road near Lumberton, had not been contained by Tuesday morning.

Horry County urges residents not to burn amid ban

Tuesday 4 March 2025 15:30 , Julia Musto

Watch: S.C. National Guard drops water on Carolina Forest fire

Tuesday 4 March 2025 15:12 , James Liddell

A fire danger statement has been issued for the Carolinas on Tuesday. This map shows where

Tuesday 4 March 2025 14:45 , Julia Musto

Veteran South Carolina firefighter’s home ‘damaged’ by wildfire

Tuesday 4 March 2025 14:30 , James Liddell

A veteran South Carolina firefighter said his home was damaged by one of the wildfires raging through the state.

Donald Piper said he had left his property in Walkers Woods in the Carolina Forest by the time it had caught on fire.

Luckily, emergency personnel were able to prevent the damage and save the home.

“The damage to the house occurred after we left, fortunately they were right on the spot, otherwise it could’ve been a lot worse,” Piper, a firefighter of 30 years, told WSPA. “If they hadn’t been here, let’s say there hadn’t been a station as close as here to get here, then who knows.”

Piper added: “It’s amazing when nobody’s hurt or killed, and property damages are kept to a minimum. That’s really good.”

There’s more increased fire danger today in the Carolinas

Tuesday 4 March 2025 14:15 , Julia Musto

Fire crews keep watch on Polk County blaze overnight as most evacuation orders lifted

Tuesday 4 March 2025 13:45 , James Liddell

‘Nose streaming, chest burning’: S.C. resident describes moment home filled with smoke

Tuesday 4 March 2025 13:01 , James Liddell

Christine Roberson woke up to her smoke-filled home deep in the Carolina Forest during the middle of the night Saturday.

The Walkers Woods resident was told to evacuate her house due to the encroaching smoke and blaze from the brush fire raging in the Carolina Forest before returning to her property on Monday.

Roberson described the physical effects of smoke inhalation.

“You do get a terrible sensation. Eyes burning, nose running from sinuses, some chest burning. That type of thing,” she told WSPA.

She said it was a “miracle” that nobody was injured or their homes sustained major damage.