Right now, if you step outside in certain parts of South Carolina, the air might feel a little crisp, but for the state’s forestry crews, it's actually the start of the most dangerous time of year. People usually think of wildfires as a "summer thing" or something that only happens in California. Honestly? In South Carolina, the real danger starts in January.
As of mid-January 2026, the state is coming off a Red Flag Fire Alert that was just lifted for 33 counties, including much of the Lowcountry and the Midlands. While the "all-clear" was given on January 12th, don't let that fool you. The ground is incredibly dry.
Where are the fires in SC right now?
The most significant recent activity has been centered around the Francis Marion & Sumter National Forests. Specifically, the Ridley Fire in Oconee County has been the big name on the maps lately. It burned through about 206 acres. Firefighters have been working the lines hard, and as of the latest reports from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), that particular incident has reached 100% containment.
But containment doesn't mean the risk is gone.
Even though the large-scale blazes like Ridley are under control, small "initial attack" fires are popping up almost daily. In the last week alone, the Southern Area—which includes SC—saw over 200 new fire starts. Most of these are tiny, maybe an acre or two, caused by someone's backyard trash fire getting away from them.
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Why the risk is spiking in the Lowcountry
If you're looking at a map of where the danger is highest, keep your eyes on Horry and Berkeley counties. Historically, these areas are magnets for winter fires. Why? Because of the "Carolina Bays" and the thick peat soil.
Just a few days ago, Horry County finally lifted its local outdoor burn ban. However, the City of Conway has kept its own restrictions tight because the vegetation is just sitting there like kindling. The South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) is essentially playing a game of whack-a-mole with small grass fires right now.
The La Niña Factor: Why 2026 is Different
We are currently in a La Niña weather pattern. For us in the Southeast, that basically means "warm and dry."
Meteorologists are seeing storm tracks shift north, leaving South Carolina with lower-than-average rainfall and humidity levels that frequently dip below 25%. When the humidity gets that low, and you add in those 20-30 mph winter gusts, a single spark from a lawnmower or a cigarette can turn a ditch into a wall of flame in about ten minutes.
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It's a weird paradox. The grass looks dead and brown—because it is dormant—and that dead matter is the perfect fuel.
Real-Time Tracking: How to see the active map
If you want to see exactly where the smoke is rising at this very second, the SC Forestry Commission is the only source you should trust. They have a live Integrated Forest Management (IFM) map.
- Active Wildfires: These show up as red icons.
- Prescribed Burns: These are controlled fires set by experts to clear brush. They show up as blue or green icons.
- Burn Notifications: These show where your neighbors have called in to say they are burning a brush pile.
You've gotta be careful when looking at smoke. A lot of what people see in January and February is actually prescribed burning. These are "good fires" meant to prevent the "bad fires" later. Experts like Douglas Wood from the SCFC often remind residents that without these controlled burns, the 2,000-acre "monster fires" we saw near Carolina Forest last year would be much more common.
The Leading Causes (It’s mostly us)
Believe it or not, lightning almost never starts fires in SC during the winter. It’s almost always people.
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- Debris Burning: This is the #1 cause. You're cleaning up the yard, you light a pile of leaves, the wind picks up, and suddenly your neighbor’s shed is in danger.
- Arson/Incendiary: This is the darker side of the stats. About 25-30% of SC wildfires are intentionally set.
- Equipment: A hot catalytic converter parked over dry grass is a recipe for disaster.
How to stay safe this week
The "Red Flag" might be down for today, but the "elevated risk" remains. If you live in an unincorporated area, you are legally required to notify the Forestry Commission before you light anything.
Actionable Steps for SC Residents:
- Check the KBDI: Look up the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for your county. If it’s over 400, think twice before burning.
- Clear your "Defensible Space": Move those piles of pine needles away from your vinyl siding.
- The 9 a.m. Rule: Most fires in SC break out between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. when the sun is highest and the air is driest. If you must burn debris, do it early and be done before the afternoon winds kick in.
- Have a hose ready: Never start a fire without a pressurized water source and a shovel nearby.
Don't rely on old data. If you see a plume of smoke and aren't sure if it's a controlled burn, check the SCFC's mobile app or the official dashboard. The situation in the woods changes faster than the coastal weather.
Stay vigilant, especially if you're in the Pee Dee or Lowcountry regions where the brush is thickest and the winds are currently the most unpredictable.