You’re sitting on the balcony of a high-rise on Ocean Boulevard, watching the tide roll in. The air smells like salt and coconut sunscreen. Then, the wind shifts. Suddenly, there’s a sharp, acrid tang in the air that doesn’t belong at the beach. You look inland, and instead of a sunset, you see a towering wall of gray-black smoke choking the horizon.
Wildfire. In Myrtle Beach.
It sounds like a contradiction. How does a place defined by water and humidity become a tinderbox? Honestly, most tourists—and even some locals—don't realize that Horry County is one of the most fire-prone areas in South Carolina. We think of wildfires as a "West Coast problem" with California hillsides and dry canyons. But the Grand Strand has a different kind of fuel: peat and pine.
Why Myrtle Beach is Actually a Fire Magnet
The geography here is tricky. Basically, Myrtle Beach is surrounded by "Carolina Bays" and vast tracts of pine forest. These aren't just pretty trees. They are packed with resinous fuel that loves to burn.
The real secret? It’s the dirt.
In many parts of Horry County, the soil is rich in organic peat. When a fire gets into the ground, it doesn't just burn the grass; it eats the earth. These "ground fires" can smolder for weeks, even months, under the surface. You might think a fire is out because the flames are gone, but it’s still crawling underground, waiting for a breeze to pop back up.
The Ghost of the Highway 31 Fire
If you want to understand the scale of what can happen here, you have to talk about the 2009 Highway 31 Fire. It’s the benchmark for disaster in this region.
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It started on April 22, 2009. Within hours, 100-foot flames were leaping over Highway 31 like it was a garden hose. It wasn't just a woods fire anymore. It was an "urban interface" nightmare. By the time it was over, 76 homes were nothing but ash and 97 others were severely damaged. The price tag? Over $50 million.
That fire changed how the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) looks at the coast. It proved that the rapid development of neighborhoods like Carolina Forest has put thousands of people directly in the path of natural burn cycles.
The Recent Scare: March 2025
Just last year, in early March 2025, we got another wake-up call. The Covington Drive fire broke out in the Carolina Forest area. It didn't take long to swallow 2,059 acres.
I remember the news reports. Senator Lindsey Graham was on the ground, and emergency teams from all over the state were flooding in. For a few days, it looked like 2009 all over again. Thankfully, this time, the response was faster. No homes were lost, but the smoke was so thick it shut down International Drive and sent ash raining down on the pool decks of major resorts.
It’s a reminder that we are always just one dry spring and a tossed cigarette away from a crisis.
When Is the Danger Highest?
Most people assume summer is the peak for wildfires because it's hot. Wrong.
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In South Carolina, the "fire season" is actually late winter and early spring—specifically February through April.
- Dead Fuel: All the vegetation that died in the winter is still there, dry and ready to catch.
- Low Humidity: Spring in Myrtle Beach often brings dry air masses before the summer humidity sets in.
- The "March Winds": This is the killer. High winds can carry embers for a mile or more, starting "spot fires" far ahead of the main blaze.
If you’re visiting in March, you’ve probably noticed the yellow pine pollen everywhere. Now imagine that pollen-laden forest bone-dry with a 25 mph wind. That’s why the SCFC keeps a very close eye on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) during these months.
Human Carelessness: The Number One Culprit
Here is a statistic that should frustrate you: 98% of wildfires in South Carolina are caused by people.
It’s rarely lightning. It’s almost always someone burning trash in their backyard that gets out of control, or a flicked cigarette, or a campfire that wasn't fully doused. In a place as densely populated as Myrtle Beach, a small mistake in a backyard near the "Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge" can trigger a multi-million dollar emergency.
Horry County Fire Rescue and the SCFC spend a lot of time on "Hazardous Fuels Management." They do prescribed burns—controlled fires meant to clear out the undergrowth—to prevent the big ones. But they can't control every backyard.
Survival Tips for the Grand Strand
If you live here or are just visiting when the smoke starts rising, you need to know what to do. The "wait and see" approach is how people get trapped.
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If you're at a hotel or resort:
Don't panic, but stay informed. Usually, the oceanfront is the safest place because the wind typically blows smoke away from the water during the day. However, if the authorities call for an evacuation of the "inland" areas like Carolina Forest, traffic on Highway 501 and Highway 17 will become a mess. Pack your essentials early.
If you're a homeowner:
You need "Defensible Space." Basically, clear the pine needles off your roof and out of your gutters. Don't stack firewood against your house. If a fire is approaching, the SCEMD (South Carolina Emergency Management Division) recommends shutting off your gas and leaving your lights on so firefighters can see your house through the smoke.
Don't be a "looky-loo":
One of the biggest problems during the 2025 fire was people driving toward the smoke to get TikTok videos. You’re blocking fire trucks. Just don't.
The Economic Ripple Effect
Wildfires don't just burn trees; they burn the local economy. When the 2025 fire was active, AAA reported that while most people didn't cancel their trips, the "perception" of the area took a hit.
Smoke makes for a terrible vacation. If the air quality index (AQI) spikes, people with asthma or heart conditions have to stay indoors. For a city built on outdoor dining, golf, and water parks, a week of heavy smoke is a financial disaster.
Actionable Steps to Protect Yourself
Whether you're a local or a visitor, being "fire-wise" isn't just a slogan; it's a necessity in this part of the country.
- Check the Burn Ban: Before you light a fire pit or grill, check the Horry County Fire Rescue website. If there's a red flag warning, don't even think about it.
- Sign up for Alerts: Use the "Horry County Emergency Management" app. It’s the fastest way to get evacuation notices.
- Mind the Peat: If you see smoke coming from the ground—even if there are no flames—report it. Ground fires are deceptive and dangerous.
- Air Quality Check: If you’re sensitive to smoke, keep an eye on AirNow.gov. Myrtle Beach usually has great air, but a wildfire inland can change that in twenty minutes.
The reality is that Myrtle Beach is a beautiful place that lives in a delicate balance with nature. We love the pines and the coastal forests, but we have to respect their ability to reclaim the land. Stay alert, stay informed, and treat every spark with the respect it deserves.