News Summary
North Carolina and South Carolina face multiple wildfires, leading to evacuations and a state of emergency in affected regions. The most impactful blaze near Myrtle Beach has burned over 2,000 acres, with containment efforts reportedly at 44%. In North Carolina, 81 wildfires have affected over 1,500 acres, but there’s been a decrease from over 200 fires earlier. Evacuations have impacted around 250 homes in Polk County. While crews are actively combatting the flames, adverse weather conditions may complicate efforts. Air quality has also deteriorated due to smoke from wildfires in Canada.
North Carolina and South Carolina are currently grappling with multiple wildfires as of March 6, 2025, prompting evacuations and a state of emergency across affected areas. The most significant wildfire is located in the Carolina Forest area near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where it has burned over 2,000 acres. As of the latest update, containment efforts in this area have made progress, achieving a containment level of 44%.
In North Carolina, a total of 81 wildfires have been reported, affecting more than 1,500 acres. The number of wildfires has decreased from over 200 at the start of the week, indicating some improvement in the situation. These wildfires vary significantly in size, ranging from small fires covering less than an acre to larger incidents, such as a 600-acre blaze located in Polk County, which is currently reported to be 91% contained.
Residents in several neighborhoods of Carolina Forest were ordered to evacuate as a precautionary measure following the outbreak of the fire. Approximately 250 homes in Polk County, North Carolina, have been impacted by these evacuation orders. There has also been one reported injury related to the wildfires, involving a firefighter whose leg was caught under a fallen tree.
Crews are actively responding to the wildfires using planes and helicopters to perform water drops, while ground teams focus on strengthening firebreaks to help control the flames. Despite these efforts, adverse weather conditions—specifically high winds and heavy rain—could pose challenges to firefighting operations. Meteorologists have raised concerns about the continuation of dry and windy conditions that could complicate ongoing containment efforts.
In addition to the challenges posed by local wildfires, air quality has deteriorated across several states due to smoke from wildfires in Canada. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that air quality levels reached “unhealthy” thresholds in states such as North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Residents are being advised to limit outdoor activities, especially those with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma or heart issues.
As of now, over 180 wildfires are actively burning in Canada, totaling nearly four million acres burned as of early June 2025. A steady wind pattern has contributed to the southward movement of smoke, impacting air quality across the U.S. Officials are emphasizing the need for residents to adhere to burn bans during these dry conditions to prevent new fire ignitions.
In South Carolina, while there has been a decrease in wildfires with approximately 22 documented incidents, it reflects a decline from over 100 fires earlier in the week. State Emergency Response Teams have been activated in response to these wildfires, with hopes that anticipated rainfall may help reduce fire intensity temporarily while crews continue containment work.
The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing assessments and updates expected as firefighting efforts continue. Residents in affected areas are urged to stay informed and follow guidelines from local authorities as conditions evolve.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- ABC11: Wildfires in Carolina
- Wikipedia: Wildfire
- WXII12: Canadian Fires Impacting NC
- Google Search: Wildfires Carolina
- NBC News: Canadian Wildfires
- Google Scholar: Wildfires Air Quality
- AP News: Carolina Wildfire Evacuations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wildfire
- SC Daily Gazette: Wildfires Bill
- Google News: Carolina Wildfires
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
