Day 4: Wildfire covers 2K+ acres in Carolina Forest area. Fire first spotted in backyard

Firefighters will continue efforts Tuesday to contain wildfires that cover more than 2,000 acres in the Carolina Forest area.

Updated mapping shows that the fires cover 2,059 acres, according to Russell Hubright with the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Hubright said that there has been a small amount of growth in the fires, but the acreage change comes after a more accurate mapping of the area.

The cause of the fires have not been determined. However, the first report of the fire that became the wildfire in Carolina Forest was spotted about 2:30 p.m. Saturday behind a house, Horry County spokesperson Mikayla Moskov said by text Tuesday.

She said that is not “necessarily the ignition point or cause,” which can only be determined once the fire is totally extinguished. Moskov said rumors that someone was burning in a backyard, causing the fire, is not a fact at this point.

Hubright said by text that the wildfire was not caused by the controlled burn conducted earlier in the Lewis Bay Ocean Preserve along International Drive by the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Horry County Fire Rescue reported that there will be increased heavy smoke and decreased visibility in the Carolina Forest area because of the wildfires at least through midday Tuesday.

Three Carolina Forest neighborhoods seem to be the target of wildfires that continue to burn in the Myrtle Beach area.

The east side of Carolina Forest Boulevard, which includes the neighborhoods of Avalon, Waterbridge and Walkers Woods, is where much of the fire is currently concentrated, according to Horry County spokesperson Thomas Bell.

Bell said that the area has thick brush and vegetation causing the fire to smolder once it has been extinguished.

The wildfire is estimated to be 30% contained, according to The South Carolina Forestry Commission. “We’re hoping for more progress tomorrow,” Hubright said Monday night.

An air quality alert was sent out for Horry County and a burn ban remains in place. International Drive continues to be closed to traffic.

Forestry crews are focusing their attention on the Covington Drive neighborhood, using bulldozers to dig perimeter lines around the wildfire, Hubright said.

The biggest issue is that because of the soil type in the area – which includes layers of peat and vegetative material – tractors continue to sink, causing delays and issues, Hubright said.

Officials are hopeful that changing weather conditions, including decreasing winds and possible rain on Wednesday, will help with the fires. “I wouldn’t say we’re in the clear yet,” Horry County spokesperson Mikayla Moskov said.

Officials said they don’t expect any additional evacuations, but residents are being told to stay aware and be ready to evacuate if needed.

As of this time, no structures have succumbed to the wildfire, and no injuries are reported.

This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 8:18 AM.

Terri Richardson

The Sun News