State of Emergency Declared in South Carolina as 175 Wildfires Ravage the State

State of Emergency Declared in South Carolina as 175 Wildfires Ravage the State

March 3, 2025 – South Carolina is under siege as an outbreak of 175 wildfires tears through the state, prompting Governor Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency on Sunday. The fires, fueled by dry conditions and gusty winds, have already scorched more than 4,200 acres, threatening homes and forcing evacuations across multiple counties. As firefighters battle the infernos, the situation remains dire, with some of the largest blazes still far from contained.

The crisis escalated over the weekend, with the majority of the fires igniting on Saturday amid unusually dry weather. By Sunday, the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported that while the number of active fires had dropped from 175 to 163, the damage was extensive. Horry County, near the popular tourist destination of Myrtle Beach, has been hit particularly hard. A massive fire in the Carolina Forest area ballooned to 1,600 acres by Sunday night, reaching only 30% containment despite the efforts of over 400 personnel and 128 fire apparatuses. Videos circulating online show an eerie orange sky and thick smoke choking the air as flames creep dangerously close to residential neighborhoods.

“This state of emergency ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities, have the resources they need,” Governor McMaster said in a statement. The declaration unlocks additional support for firefighting efforts and reinforces a statewide ban on outdoor burning, which remains in effect indefinitely. Violators of the ban face criminal prosecution, a measure aimed at preventing further ignitions in the tinderbox conditions.

Beyond Horry County, the fires have left a trail of destruction across Spartanburg, Union, Oconee, and Pickens counties. In the Pee Dee region, where wildfire activity has been concentrated, officials report that containment efforts are gaining ground, with some areas nearing 90% control. However, the threat persists elsewhere. In Pickens County, the Six Mile Mountain Fire burned nearly 300 acres but was 85% contained by Sunday, sparing nearby homes thanks to swift action by responders. Meanwhile, a fire in Georgetown County, south of Myrtle Beach, grew to 800 acres, though evacuations there have largely been lifted as crews gain the upper hand.

The crisis isn’t limited to South Carolina. Neighboring North Carolina is also grappling with wildfires, including a 400-acre blaze in Polk County’s Blue Ridge Mountains that remains uncontained. The U.S. Forest Service is battling additional fires across four national forests in the state, underscoring the regional scope of the disaster. Dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong winds—conditions exacerbated by a February rainfall deficit of 1.5 to 2.5 inches—have created a perfect storm for fire spread across the Carolinas.

For residents in the path of the flames, the past few days have been a nightmare. Evacuation orders forced families from their homes in Horry County’s Carolina Forest, with some finding temporary refuge at a local recreation center staffed by the Red Cross. “We could see the smoke and flames from our backyard,” one resident told a local news outlet, describing the chaos as winds whipped the fire closer. By late Sunday, Horry County Fire Rescue allowed some evacuees to return, though smoke lingers and first responders remain on high alert for flare-ups.

Hope is on the horizon, however. The National Weather Service forecasts a cold front moving in by Tuesday, bringing rain that could help douse the flames. Until then, the state’s firefighting teams—bolstered by aerial water drops from planes and helicopters—are working around the clock. The Carolina Forest Community Church has become a makeshift hub, offering respite to exhausted firefighters and displaced residents alike.

South Carolina is no stranger to wildfires, typically facing around 5,000 incidents annually that burn nearly 30,000 acres. Yet this outbreak, occurring at the peak of the state’s fire season, has stretched resources thin. “It doesn’t happen every day, but it’s not unheard of,” said Doug Wood, a spokesperson for the South Carolina Forestry Commission, in an interview with NBC affiliate WCBD. The commission has urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid outdoor burning, and report any new fires immediately by calling 9-1-1.

As the state braces for another day of uncertainty, the resilience of its communities and first responders is being tested like never before. For now, South Carolina holds its breath, hoping the promised rain arrives before the infernos claim more land—or lives.