MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Beneficial weather conditions on Monday aided firefighting teams in South and North Carolina as they tackled wildfires that had forced residents to evacuate and posed a threat to numerous homes over the weekend.
A considerable firefighting effort, drawing personnel from all over South Carolina, was able to prevent any residential loss from a significant wildfire in Horry County near Myrtle Beach. Despite distressing social media footage showing nighttime skies illuminated by orange hues and flames consuming pine trees mere yards away, firefighters managed to protect homes. Volunteers were present on the ground, distributing water and food to the tireless crews defending residences and structures.
Rick Vines, who contributed by volunteering, expressed, “We’re incredibly proud of our first responders. We wanted to demonstrate our appreciation and provide them with necessary supplies so they could concentrate on their essential duties.”
According to Horry County Fire Rescue, the fire spanned 2.5 square miles (about 6.5 square kilometers) and by Monday evening, containment was at approximately 30%. The department utilized drones alongside ground teams to manage flare-ups, fortify containment lines, and establish portable sprinkler systems.
This incident marks the largest fire occurrence in the vicinity since a 2009 wildfire incurred $42 million in damage and resulted in the destruction of approximately 75 homes.
In response, South Carolina statewide authorities implemented stringent bans on nearly all outdoor fires, including those related to yard debris and campfires. Officials emphasized the legal repercussions, stating that calling emergency services is imperative if any outdoor burning is observed. Governor Henry McMaster warned of legal consequences for violations of the ban through social media.
Similar prohibitions were enforced in western North Carolina. In Polk County, some residents remained evacuated as fire crews resorted to controlled burns to remove potential wildfire fuel to better manage a 480-acre (190-hectare) blaze, which was also around 30% contained.
Polk County is an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene the previous year, where increased fire risks have been recorded due to deadfall not being removed, exacerbating the situation across the region.
Further to the east, in Robeson County, around 80 smaller wildfires were reported. Emergency officials noted damage to approximately 15 structures but did not specify the types of buildings affected. Meanwhile, data from the North Carolina Forest Service revealed over 200 wildfires across the state, though the vast majority were minor and posed no threat to properties.
Authorities in both the Carolinas have cautioned residents about deteriorating air quality due to the prevalent smoke. The increased fire danger stemmed from a dry winter season followed by a weekend cold front that brought strong winds but little accompanying rain capitalizing on the dry conditions.
The Myrtle Beach vicinity is notorious for wildfire risks in South Carolina, largely due to the extensive peat formations resulting from centuries of decomposing vegetation, which, once dry, can sustain fire for extended periods. The presence of pine trees and other waxy flora adds to the volatility, enhancing the rapid spread of flames under breezy, arid conditions.
Horry County has seen its populace swell to about 400,000 within the last quarter-century, with many newcomers settling in new developments adjacent to the ovoid Carolina Bays. In these areas, peat and flammable plant growth are common, with fires being an intrinsic part of the local landscape’s historical cycle.
The exact origins of these fires remain unidentified.