You’ve probably seen the smoke if you’ve been driving near Little River lately. It’s thick. It’s grey. Honestly, it’s enough to make anyone living near C-Versie Road a little bit twitchy. But before you go calling 911 because you think the Grand Strand is going up in flames again, let’s talk about what’s actually going on with the latest Myrtle Beach news fire updates.
It isn't a disaster. Not this time.
Basically, the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department is currently overseeing a massive, month-long open burn operation. They started on January 9, 2026. This isn't some accidental brush fire or a kitchen mishap at a resort. It’s a calculated, permitted disposal of roadway and right-of-way debris for the Dockside project.
They’re using off-road dump trucks to haul debris into a designated pit. It’s a 58-acre site. If you smell smoke or see a haze hanging over the Intracoastal Waterway between now and February 9, that’s your culprit.
Why Everyone Is So Jumpy About Fires
Look, people in Horry County have every right to be a bit paranoid. We aren't exactly far removed from the 2025 "Covington Drive Compact" wildfire. That was a nightmare. That fire scorched over 2,050 acres in the Carolina Forest area and forced thousands of people to pack their bags and flee.
Governor Henry McMaster had to declare a state of emergency.
Remember the causes? It wasn't lightning. It was a backyard debris fire that got out of control because the conditions were bone-dry and the wind was whipping at 40 mph. Alexandria Biliso was actually charged in connection to that one. When you have history like that, any puff of smoke on the horizon feels like a personal threat.
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The New Infrastructure Response
To deal with the sheer growth of the area, Myrtle Beach is finally breaking ground on Fire Station No. 1 along Robert Grissom Parkway later this year. It’s going to be a beast. Over twice the size of Station No. 3 on South Kings Highway. This is basically the city admitting that the old infrastructure on Mr. Joe White Avenue just can't keep up with the millions of tourists and the exploding permanent population.
Current Fire Safety and Restrictions
Right now, the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department is keeping a tight leash on that C-Versie Road burn. They have to. The "Fire Safe SC" designation they just received isn't just a trophy for the wall; it means they have to follow strict protocols.
If you're a local, you need to know a few things:
- No Fireworks: They are still strictly banned within Myrtle Beach city limits.
- Permit Checks: If you’re planning on burning yard waste, don't just light a match. You need to check the South Carolina Forestry Commission's daily burn notice.
- Winter Safety: We are currently in a period of "above normal" fire potential for the Southeast. The National Interagency Fire Center warned that January and February 2026 would be sketchier than usual for the Carolinas due to specific weather patterns.
What to Do if You See Smoke
If you’re near Little River and the smoke is coming from the end of C-Versie Road, the fire department already knows. They’re monitoring it. However, if you see smoke coming from a residential area or a wooded lot in Carolina Forest or along Ocean Blvd, don't hesitate.
Kinda scary, but true: many of the biggest fires in the history of the Grand Strand started because one person waited ten minutes too long to report a "small" brush fire.
The investigation into the Jasper County hotel fire earlier this month—which gutted 40 rooms—showed just how fast these things move. Most of the guests were asleep. It was a miracle nobody died.
Stay vigilant. Check the wind direction. If the smoke smells like "plastic" or "chemicals" rather than "wood," it’s likely a structure fire and not the permitted debris burn.
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Actionable Steps for Residents
- Sign up for Regroup: This is the city’s emergency alert system. If there’s a real-deal Myrtle Beach news fire that requires evacuation, this is how you’ll find out first.
- Clear Your Gutters: Seriously. Pine needles are basically nature’s kindling. If a spark from a debris burn travels, your roof is the first place it’s going to land.
- Check the Burn Map: Before you complain about air quality, check the SC Forestry Commission’s active fire map. It’ll tell you if what you’re seeing is a controlled "prescribed" burn or an emergency.
- Update Your Go-Bag: If you live in Carolina Forest or near the Horry/Georgetown county line, keep your documents ready. We saw in 2025 how fast a 200-acre fire becomes a 2,000-acre monster.
Stay safe out there. The smoke you’re seeing today is likely just progress on a new road, but in this heat and wind, it pays to be the person who double-checks.