Carolina Forest fire burns 1,600 acres, impacts residents

Wildfires in the Carolina Forest area have consumed over 1,600 acres, impacting multiple neighborhoods. Evacuations, heavy smoke, and the concerted efforts of firefighters underscore the challenges in containing these blazes. Factors like flammable vegetation, dry conditions, and unique soil types have complicated suppression tactics, although tools like Blackhawk helicopters and bulldozers have been deployed effectively.

Residents face ongoing disruptions, including air quality concerns and the threat of flare-ups, while first responders have managed to protect most homes from major damage. Speculation about the fire’s origins continues, but officials warn against rumors, citing the investigation is still underway.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Firefighters rush to put water on a blaze behind homes in the Walker’s Woods community. Evacuations continued over night for communities in the Carolina Forest area threatened by a forest fire. Firefighters and residents worked to protect their homes from the flames. Sunday, March 2, 2025. By Jason Lee

NO. 1: UPDATE: MYRTLE BEACH AREA DEALING WITH ‘LARGEST FIRE’ IN STATE. RESIDENTS RETURNING HOME

Blackhawk helicopters are being sent to help put out fires in Carolina Forest neighborhoods. Wildfire has raged over 2K acres. | Published March 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson Emalyn Muzzy

Fire and plumes of smoke could be seen in the Waterbridge community of Carolina Forest Saturday. Residents in Walkers Woods and Avalon neighborhoods were evacuated from their homes as a wildfire raged in the area. Firefighters were battling several fires across the county. March 1, 2025 By Jason Lee

NO. 2: RESIDENTS LEAVE HOMES AFTER WILDFIRES THREATEN NEIGHBORHOODS IN MYRTLE BEACH AREA

Wildfires continue to rage across Horry County. Firefighters are battling fires in the Carolina Forest area, trying to save homes affected by the blaze. | Published March 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson

Jaxson Bazinet sprays a water hose on the remnants of a fire that burned close to his home on Wyandot Ct. in Carolina Forest. Evacuations continued over night for communities in the Carolina Forest area threatened by a forest fire. Firefighters and residents worked to protect their homes from the flames. Sunday, March 2, 2025. By Jason Lee

NO. 3: ‘IT’S TERRIFYING.’ CAROLINA FOREST RESIDENTS FACE WALL OF FIRE AS CREWS TRY TO SAVE HOMES

Carolina Forest neighborhoods have been evacuated as Horry County firefighters battle a more than 1,500-acre wildfire. | Published March 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson Emalyn Muzzy

Helicopters drop water on wildfires in the Carolina Forest area Monday, March 3, 2025. About 1,600 acres are on fire in the Myrtle Beach area. By Jason Lee

NO. 4: THREE CAROLINA FOREST NEIGHBORHOODS HIT HARD BY WILDFIRES. MAPPING SHOWS FIRES AT 2K+ ACRES

Horry County fire crews continue to battle wildfires in the Myrtle Beach area. Officials say situation looking better, but not in the clear yet. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson

The Carolina Forest fire had burned more than 1600 acres by day three on Monday and was 30 percent contained. Firefighters from around the region dug fire breaks around communities and responded to hot spots while aircraft dropped water on the flames. Monday, March 3, 2025. By Jason Lee

NO. 5: UPDATED: WILL THE WIND IMPACT MYRTLE BEACH’S AIR QUALITY AFTER WILDFIRES? HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

Here’s the latest air quality report and weather forecast for the Myrtle Beach area after a weekend of intense wildfires. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Elizabeth Brewer

Blackhawk helicopters from the South Carolina National Guard were deployed to drop water on the wildfires in the Carolina Forest area in the Myrtle Beach, SC area on Sunday. The drops will continue Monday.

NO. 6: ‘WE’RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS.’ HOW MYRTLE BEACH AREA FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE A COASTAL WILDFIRE

Different measures have to be taken in battling a coastal wildfire, which create problems for Horry County firefighters. The top issue being not enough water. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson

NO. 7: COULD MASSIVE MYRTLE BEACH AREA WILDFIRES TRACE BACK TO TRASH BURN? WHAT WE KNOW

Rumors have swirled on social media claiming to know the exact cause of the blaze that briefly forced several neighborhood evacuations, but officials warn it’s still to early to know. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Weissman

NO. 8: PLANES CARRYING WATER, BILLOWING SMOKE, FLAMES. LOCALS CAPTURE THE CAROLINA WILDFIRES

Here are local photos and videos that capture scenes from the Myrtle Beach, SC wildfires over the weekend. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Elizabeth Brewer

NO. 9: WILDFIRES IN THE MYRTLE BEACH AREA HAVEN’T DESTROYED ANY HOMES. HERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY

With fires raging in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach, no homes have burned down. Here’s what to know about why that is | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ben Morse

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.