As of March 2025, the Carolinas are battling a series of devastating wildfires that have scorched thousands of acres. The fires have forced evacuations and prompted state of emergency declarations. Both states remain on high alert as firefighters work tirelessly to contain the blazes, fueled by unusually dry conditions and gusty winds.
The Associated Press reports that the situation in South Carolina reached a critical point when Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sunday. Over 175 fires have burned approximately 6.6 square miles (17 square kilometers) across the state. The most concerning blaze ignited in the Carolina Forest area, just west of Myrtle Beach, and rapidly expanded to 1,600 acres, doubling in size overnight. By Sunday evening, the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported that crews had contained 30% of the fire.
North Carolina is also fighting multiple wildfires across its four national forests. The U.S. Forest Service stated that fires in the Croatan, Nantahala, Uwharrie, and Pisgah national forests had consumed nearly 500 acres by Sunday. One of the most significant fires in North Carolina is the 176 Fire (named after U.S. Route 176). It has burned between 400 to 500 acres near the towns of Tryon and Saluda, threatening communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Evacuation Zones And Travel Impacts
The wildfires have triggered widespread evacuations and travel restrictions across both states. In South Carolina’s Horry County, several fires forced residents from eight neighborhoods in the Carolina Forest area to evacuate. However, authorities lifted evacuation orders for seven neighborhoods by early Sunday evening, allowing residents to return home.
In North Carolina, Polk County officials ordered evacuations for residents along U.S. Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda, warning that the fire was spreading rapidly. These towns, with populations of about 1,500 and 1,000, respectively, sit approximately 40 miles south of Asheville.
The fires have severely disrupted travel in affected areas. Law enforcement officers have set up checkpoints to keep non-residents from entering restricted zones in South Carolina. In North Carolina, evacuations have affected travel along U.S. Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda, forcing travelers to seek alternative routes.
Firefighting Efforts And Resources
Both states have mobilized significant resources to combat the wildfires. Around 410 personnel and at least 128 fire apparatuses have been deployed in South Carolina to fight the Carolina Forest fire. The South Carolina Army National Guard is also in action, using two Blackhawk helicopters to drop 600 gallons of water at a time on the blazes.
The Forest Service has deployed aircraft for water drops and back-burning operations in North Carolina. Officials warn that residents near affected areas should expect heavy smoke as containment efforts continue. Firefighters are constructing new containment lines, reinforcing existing ones, conducting aerial reconnaissance, and using mechanized equipment to manage heavy fuel loads.
What Caused The Wildfires
Authorities remain largely mixed on what specifically has caused these fires. Given that there are so many disconnected blazes raging at once, investigators have ruled out any possibility of arson or other man-made causes. Careless debris burning remains one of the most frequent sources of wildfires such as these, though there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of such for the massive blazes. One particular blaze in Saluda, North Carolina is confirmed to have begun with a downed power line. The Melrose Fire, as it has come to be called, sparked at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and rapidly spread up the mountainside, according to Saluda’s fire and rescue department.
While wildfires such as these can be common, first responders have identified one key reason why the many blazes have gotten so out of hand in the last few days. Apparently, the entire region of the American Southeast has been experiencing unseasonably dry periods, along with an overall lack of humidity. This, combined with the excess of brush, grass and fallen trees from recent wind storms, has created a hotbed of conditions for fires to spread far and wide. South Carolina National Guardsmen have mobilized with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to mitigate dry forests over the weekend, dropping more than 1,800 gallons of water from above. As responders continue to get the fires under control, conditions are expected to loosen up, with high humidity and rain forecasted on Wednesday (Mar. 5).
Are Wildfires Common in North Carolina?
Traditionally speaking, wildfires are not very common along the East Coast of the United States. North Carolina is home to a variety of perennial natural disasters, with significantly fewer wildfires than states along the Southwest such as Arizona, Nevada and Southern California. Unfortunately, wildfire rates seem to be rising throughout the Carolinas, accounting for several notable blazes in recent years. This could be caused by several factors, including global temperature rises, higher-than-average forest density and man-made climate change. While California is equipped and well prepared for fires of this variety to break out, those in areas like Myrtle Beach are significantly less accustomed to things like fire insurance, evacuations and basic home prep in a wildfire’s path.
With the newly minted Trump administration’s ongoing war against climate change activism, it seems likely that conditions such as these will only continue to worsen in the coming years. The good news is, fires can be manageable as long as we respect our first responders, take heed of burning bans and evacuate when the emergency order is passed down. The bad news is, many people lose their homes, loved ones and lives in fires each year, even when they’re seemingly well prepared for disaster to strike. For now, all that the average Carolina resident can do is read up on fire safety and preparedness, and hope for the best.
