TL;DR: Wildfires have become a real and recurring risk in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach — not just a California problem. The 2025 Carolina Forest fire burned over 2,000 acres and triggered evacuations across multiple Horry County neighborhoods. Here is what local homeowners and buyers need to understand heading into 2026.
Most people who move to Myrtle Beach think about hurricanes. Almost nobody thinks about wildfires — until they have to.
That changed in early spring 2025, when a fire that started in the Covington Lake neighborhood of Carolina Forest burned for three months, scorched more than 2,000 acres, and pushed smoke so thick across Horry County that schools cancelled outdoor recess and air quality sensors in cars turned dark red. The fire made national news. Evacuation notices went out in the middle of the night. Helicopters scooped water from the Intracoastal Waterway in continuous rotation.
Now, in spring 2026, Horry County is again under drought conditions — with April rainfall at roughly 0.2 inches against a seasonal average of three to four inches. Burn bans are posted on signage throughout neighborhood entrances across the Grand Strand. The conditions are familiar, and the stakes are just as real.
Why Wildfires Are a Growing Risk in the Grand Strand
The Myrtle Beach area is not California. But the factors that drive wildfire risk — dry vegetation, human activity near forested land, and low humidity — are present here, particularly in late winter through early spring.
According to the SC Forestry Commission, South Carolina's primary wildfire season runs from late winter through early spring, when humidity drops and undergrowth dries out. In a typical year, the state sees approximately 1,300 to 1,400 wildfires burning 8,000 to 14,000 acres. Over the last five years, the average has been roughly 1,398 fires per year, burning approximately 14,000 acres annually. The SC Forestry Commission also emphasizes that nearly all of South Carolina's wildfires are human-caused — the result of burning debris, equipment sparks, power lines, or careless fire pit use.
Horry County holds a notable historical record: the largest wildfire in South Carolina's modern record burned approximately 30,000 acres in April 1976 right here in this county. That is not ancient history — it is a baseline reminder that the landscape around the Grand Strand is capable of sustaining large-scale fire events.
What has changed more recently is development density. As more homes are built on the edge of conservation land and forest reserves — particularly in areas like Carolina Forest — the interface between residential neighborhoods and woodland has grown. More people living adjacent to that landscape means more ignition opportunities and more properties in the potential path of a fire.
What the 2025 Carolina Forest Fire Revealed About Local Vulnerability
The 2025 fire started when a resident in the Covington Lake neighborhood burned items in a backyard fire pit during an active county burn ban. The fire caught adjacent forest, and because Horry County's soil contains peat-like organic material that can hold embers underground, the blaze reignited repeatedly for months before crews could fully contain it.
The fire burned across more than 2,000 acres and drew response from over 100 agencies. Neighborhoods across the Carolina Forest area — connected by the same wooded corridors — faced evacuation orders. Remarkably, no structures were fully destroyed and no injuries were reported. That outcome was the result of extraordinary emergency response, including aerial water drops directly from the Intracoastal Waterway.
The aftermath lingered for months. Homes near the fire's edge had melted vinyl siding. Interior smoke odor persisted in homes near Covington Lake well into the summer. Air quality across the broader Carolina Forest and surrounding neighborhoods reached hazardous levels, affecting visitors and residents alike, including those without any preexisting respiratory conditions.
In early 2026, conditions have again triggered serious concern. A fire broke out near the Black Creek community within the past month and was contained quickly — but the proximity to last year's burn area and the current drought intensified community anxiety. Additional fires have popped up throughout the Grand Strand region in April 2026, all contained so far, while smoke from wildfires in neighboring Georgia has reached Horry County at air-quality-affecting levels.
The SC Forestry Commission has noted that while actual fire counts in early 2026 are running lower than the same period in 2025, the gap is attributed primarily to more aggressive prevention measures — not to improved conditions. The underlying drought risk remains elevated.
What Horry County Homeowners Can Do Right Now
The best protection starts before a fire is anywhere near your property. Here is what matters most for homes in Carolina Forest and across the Grand Strand:
Respect burn bans. Horry County issues burn bans when conditions warrant. In 2026, signage has been posted prominently throughout neighborhood entrances to increase visibility. Always check with Horry County before burning any outdoor material, even in a contained fire pit. HOA rules may add additional restrictions.
Create defensible space around your home. Keep pine straw, dry mulch, and leaf litter pulled back from your foundation, decks, and fences. Trim low-hanging branches and thin shrubs that are close to the structure. If trees are touching or overhanging your roofline, have them cut back. This reduces the chance that ground-level fire or wind-carried embers can ignite the home's perimeter.
Reconsider ground cover choices. Pine needles — extremely common in Grand Strand plant beds — are highly combustible when dry. Moisture-retaining mulch or stone ground cover around the foundation offers more fire resistance. Stone is the most protective option and eliminates the need for annual replacement.
Manage irrigation during drought. During dry conditions, run irrigation systems in deep, thorough cycles early in the morning or late at night — not in the heat of the day when evaporation is highest. Keeping vegetation hydrated reduces fuel load around the home.
Prepare for smoke impact, not just flame. The 2025 fire demonstrated that smoke can affect residents miles from any active burn. Keep an N95 mask accessible. Know your household's plan if air quality reaches hazardous levels, especially for anyone with respiratory sensitivities.
Know your evacuation route. Horry County's road network in suburban communities can become congested quickly during an emergency. Identify a primary and alternate exit from your neighborhood before you need one.
| Action | Why It Matters | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Check for active burn bans | The 2025 fire started during an active Horry County burn ban | Before any outdoor burning, year-round |
| Pull pine straw from foundation | Highly combustible when dry; common in Grand Strand plant beds | Now, especially during drought conditions |
| Trim trees from roofline | Prevents canopy fire from reaching structure; also reduces pest risk | Seasonal maintenance, at minimum annually |
| Run irrigation early morning or late night | Keeps vegetation hydrated; reduces fuel load near the home | During dry or drought conditions |
| Establish an evacuation route | Roads congested fast; fire moved through multiple neighborhoods in 2025 | Plan in advance, review annually |
*Source: SC Forestry Commission; Horry County Government burn ban protocols (2025–2026)*
If you own or are considering a home in Carolina Forest or any other wooded community in the Grand Strand, wildfire risk is now part of the local conversation — alongside hurricanes, flood zones, and insurance. Understanding how it could affect your property, your coverage, and your preparedness plan is a reasonable part of any homeownership decision here. If you have questions about how to evaluate a specific property's exposure or want to talk through what you should be asking before you buy or build, get in touch with our team — we have been living and working in this market for over 14 years.
FAQ SECTION
Q1: Are wildfires actually a real risk in Myrtle Beach, or is this unusual?
Wildfires have historically been a background risk in the Grand Strand area, but they have become more visible in the past two years. South Carolina sees roughly 1,300 to 1,400 wildfires annually, and Horry County holds the state record for its largest historical fire (approximately 30,000 acres in 1976). The 2025 Carolina Forest fire — which burned over 2,000 acres and triggered evacuations across multiple neighborhoods — brought this risk into sharp focus for local residents. In spring 2026, drought conditions and multiple contained fires indicate the risk remains elevated.
Q2: What caused the 2025 Carolina Forest fire and how long did it last?
The fire was ignited when a resident burned material in a backyard fire pit while an active Horry County burn ban was in place. Because local soil has peat-like properties that can hold underground embers, the fire reignited repeatedly. It took approximately three months for crews to achieve full containment, involved more than 100 response agencies, and required aerial water drops from the Intracoastal Waterway. No structures were fully destroyed and no injuries were reported.
Q3: What is a burn ban and how do I know if one is active in Horry County?
A burn ban is an order issued by county authorities that prohibits open burning — including fire pits, debris burning, and similar outdoor fires — without a permit. Horry County issues these bans during elevated drought and fire-risk periods. As of spring 2026, burn ban signage has been posted throughout neighborhood entrances across the county. You can verify current burn ban status through Horry County Government (horrycountysc.gov). Always check before any outdoor fire activity, including fire pits and grills using real wood.
Q4: Could wildfire smoke affect my home's value or how it shows to buyers?
Smoke damage and persistent smoke odor are legitimate property concerns. After the 2025 Carolina Forest fire, homes near the burn perimeter showed melted vinyl siding and lingering interior smoke odor that persisted months after containment. Buyers considering homes in affected neighborhoods raised direct questions about air quality during showings. These factors can influence buyer perception and negotiation dynamics. According to CCAR MLS data (2025), the Carolina Forest submarket maintained a median price of $398,944 in 2025 — up 3.6% — but individual property conditions always play a role in final pricing.
Q5: Does my homeowners insurance cover wildfire or smoke damage in South Carolina?
Standard homeowners insurance policies in South Carolina typically include fire as a covered peril, which would include wildfire damage to a structure. Smoke damage may also be covered depending on the specific policy language. However, coverage terms, deductibles, and carrier availability in coastal South Carolina have been changing in recent years. It is important to review your policy carefully and confirm what is covered with your carrier directly. For more detail on how coverage works in this market, see our post on fire and smoke damage coverage in Myrtle Beach. Programs and rates are subject to change; verify current details with a licensed insurance professional.
Q6: Are there specific features buyers should look for in wildfire-prone areas of Horry County?
Buyers considering homes adjacent to wooded or conservation land in areas like Carolina Forest should evaluate setback distance from treelines, exterior material choices (fiber cement siding, metal roofing, and concrete board are more fire-resistant than vinyl), and the presence of established defensible space. Checking whether the property's HOA addresses burn restrictions is also worthwhile. Reviewing local Horry County zoning and any conservation easement maps through horrycountysc.gov can help clarify what is adjacent to a property.
Sources
Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® MLS (CCAR): https://www.ccarsc.org/pages/marketstats/
Horry County Government (burn bans, county emergency protocols): https://horrycountysc.gov/
Fire & Smoke Damage Coverage in Myrtle Beach — What Homeowners Need to Know
