South Carolina Forestry Commission educates public for outdoor burning

By Kaye Collins

As the wildfire season draws near, the South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued a statement regarding the potential risk of wildfires in the coming months throughout the state and specifically in Horry County.

The Storm Prediction Center has released a fire weather outlook for the region. Communication Director Doug Wood mentioned that the period from January to April is the peak season for wildfire outbreaks. He noted that approximately 2-3 incidents occur daily throughout the state, totaling around 1,400 annually. He explained that these wildfires are triggered by a combination of factors.

The period from January to April is referred to as wildfire season in South Carolina. This is primarily due to the abundance of dead vegetation on the ground, including leaf litter, combined with a significant drop in relative humidity to very low levels. Additionally, strong winds contribute to the heightened risk of wildfires. For instance, last week, winds throughout the state reached gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour, which is certainly one of the major risk factors for wildfires.

The Carolina Forest wildfire, which engulfed more than 2,000 acres in 2025, exemplifies how various factors converged to create a significant wildfire that persisted for several months. He mentioned that it is also related to the natural landscape of Horry County.

What used to be a wildland area is often associated with wildfires, particularly the large, massive fires that occur in the western regions annually. These incidents typically take place in very rural locations. The Carolina Forest fire serves as a prime example of a wildland urban interface fire, commonly referred to by the acronym WUI, which stands for Wildland Urban Interface.

The message is quite straightforward, think before you burn. This is relevant whether you are using your fire pit or cleaning your yard, which includes leaves, branches, and dead plants. Many people choose to clean their yards after all the leaves have fallen. We offer some useful tips for safe burning, such as having a water source on hand, using tools like shovels and hoes, and digging around the burn area to prevent the fire from spreading. Most importantly, concerning your yard, this is required by state law. If you live outside city limits, no matter where you are in the state, you must notify the forestry commission.

To report a wildfire to the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC), please call 1-800-777-FIRE (3473). Alternatively, you can use the toll-free number designated for your county to report any outdoor burning, as mandated by state law.

For a burn permit in Horry County, contact the Horry County Forestry Commission at 1-800-986-5404.