When you think of a wildfire, your brain probably goes straight to a helicopter dropping orange retardant over a jagged California canyon. Or maybe a wall of flames tearing through a dried-out eucalyptus grove in Australia. Honestly, most people don't think of the Lowcountry or the Blue Ridge Mountains as a tinderbox. But here's the reality: South Carolina wildfires are a massive, year-round reality, and we just entered the most dangerous window of the year.
The timing catches people off guard.
January through mid-April is officially peak wildfire season in the Palmetto State. It sounds wrong, doesn't it? You’d think the sweltering humid days of July would be the problem. Nope. In the winter, the "fuels"—basically the grass, pine needles, and leaves—are dormant and dry. When you mix that with the low humidity of a crisp winter afternoon and some 30-mph wind gusts, you have a recipe for a disaster.
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The 2026 Red Flag Reality
Just a few days ago, on January 11, the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) had to pull the trigger on a Red Flag Fire Alert for 33 counties. That’s more than half the state. They weren't just being cautious.
The state is currently feeling the squeeze of a La Niña weather pattern. For us in the Southeast, La Niña usually means warmer, drier winters. It's great for golf, but it’s terrifying for fire chiefs. When the soil moisture drops and the wind picks up, a tiny spark from a backyard burn can jump a firebreak faster than you can grab a garden hose.
Why the "Green" South Still Burns
It’s easy to look at our lush forests and think they’re fireproof. They aren't.
- The Fuel Load: We have a lot of "fine fuels." Think about the "duff" layer—that thick carpet of pine needles and decomposing leaves. In a drought, this becomes a literal fuse.
- The Wind Factor: Coastal winds in places like Horry County can push a fire through the tops of trees (a crown fire) at terrifying speeds.
- The Human Element: This is the big one. Almost 98% of South Carolina wildfires are caused by people.
Basically, we don't get many "natural" fires from lightning because our lightning usually comes with a downpour. If there's a fire in SC, someone likely started it.
The Most Dangerous Spots in the State
History has a way of repeating itself here. If you live in Horry County, you already know the stakes. The 1976 fire in Horry County remains the biggest on record, chewing through 30,000 acres. More recently, in March 2025, the Covington Drive fire near Myrtle Beach forced frantic evacuations as it consumed over 2,000 acres.
But it’s not just the coast.
Upstate residents in Greenville and Pickens counties saw the Table Rock Complex fire burn nearly 16,000 acres just a year ago. It’s a statewide problem. From the mountains to the sea, if there’s a pine tree and a breeze, there’s a risk.
The Leading Causes of Ignitions
- Debris Burning: This is the #1 culprit. People clearing their yards, losing control of the pile, and watching the woods catch.
- Arson: Shockingly, woods arson accounts for about 25-30% of our fires. It’s a huge, often ignored, criminal issue.
- Equipment: A dragging chain on a trailer or a hot catalytic converter parked in tall grass can start a fire in seconds.
- Kids: Playing with matches or lighters still causes about 3-5% of annual blazes.
Why "Good Fires" Are Actually the Solution
It sounds counterintuitive, but the best way to stop a wildfire is to start a fire.
The SC Forestry Commission and private landowners use prescribed burns (controlled burns) to clear out the underbrush. If you see smoke on a calm day in February, it might be a "good fire." By burning off the dead leaves and needles under controlled conditions, experts remove the "fuel" that a wildfire would need to grow out of control.
These burns also help the environment. Longleaf pine savannas need fire to stay healthy. It helps the seeds germinate and keeps the habitat open for wildlife like the red-cockaded woodpecker and white-tailed deer. Without these controlled fires, the woods get too thick, and when a wildfire finally does hit, it burns so hot it kills everything—even the big trees.
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What You Need to Do Right Now
If you live near a wooded area, you’re in what experts call the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). Basically, you're where the houses meet the fuel.
Don't wait until you see smoke on the horizon to act.
Check the KBDI: The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is what the pros use to measure how dry the soil is. It goes from 0 to 800. If your county is hitting 400 or 500, you need to be extremely careful.
Clean Your Gutters: Seriously. Those dry pine needles on your roof are the #1 way houses catch fire during a wildfire. An ember can fly a mile from the main fire, land in your gutter, and burn your house down from the top down.
Follow the Notification Law: If you’re going to burn yard debris in an unincorporated area, you are legally required to notify the Forestry Commission. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s the law. They have a toll-free number for every county. They'll tell you if the weather is too dangerous to burn that day.
Create a Defensible Space: Clear out flammable bushes and woodpiles within 30 feet of your home. If a fire does come through, you want to give the fire department a "fighting chance" to save your property.
South Carolina's landscape is beautiful, but it's volatile. We're currently in the middle of a high-risk season, and with the La Niña drying things out, the next few months are going to be a test for our first responders. Stay informed, check the daily fire weather, and for heaven's sake, think twice before you light that match.
Actionable Steps for Homeowners
- Download the SCFC Mobile App: It shows active wildfires and prescribed burns in real-time across the state.
- Register for Alerts: Sign up for local emergency management notifications so you're the first to know about evacuations.
- Hardening Your Home: Replace mesh vents with fire-resistant versions to keep embers out of your attic.
- Keep a Radius: Maintain a 5-foot "non-combustible" zone immediately around your home foundation—use gravel or mulch instead of pine straw.
The threat is real, but it's manageable if you don't take the "greenery" for granted. Most of these fires are preventable. It just takes one person being careful with a cigarette or a debris pile to save a thousand acres.