South Carolina Faces State of Emergency as Wildfires Rage across Thousands of Acres
South Carolina’s governor declared a state of emergency Sunday to support the ongoing battle against wildfires that have spread across the region amid unusually dry conditions and high winds. The executive order by Gov. Henry McMaster will free up resources for first responders who are fighting 175 wildfires across the state spanning 4,200 acres.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission on Saturday issued a statewide burning ban.
I have declared a State of Emergency to further support wildfire response efforts across the state and ensure our first responders continue to have the resources they need. A statewide outdoor burning ban remains in effect—violators will be prosecuted. Please stay informed.
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) March 2, 2025
“This State of Emergency ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities from these wildfires, have the resources they need,” McMaster said. “Dangerous wildfire conditions require that a statewide burning ban remain in effect until further notice. Those who violate this ban will be subject to criminal prosecution.”
The largest wildfires are in Horry, Spartanburg, Oconee, Union and Pickens Counties, The State newspaper reported. The South Carolina National Guard is assisting first responders in the firefighting efforts.
“While a majority of the current wildfire activity is concentrated in the Pee Dee region, the rest of the state is experiencing a dramatic uptick in wildfires, straining the capacity of Forestry Commission firefighters and local emergency response personnel to respond,” said Darryl Jones, forest protection chief for the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
U.S. Army Soldiers with Company A, 111th General Support Aviation Battalion, 59 Aviation Troop Command, South Carolina Army National Guard prepared two Blackhawk Helicopters to assist the South Carolina Forestry Commission and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources… pic.twitter.com/O9iUTUT83t
— SC National Guard (@SCNationalGuard) March 2, 2025
A major blaze in Myrtle Beach covering 1,600 acres, known as the Covington Drive Fire, was 30 percent contained Sunday, according to the Forestry Commission. Some neighborhoods had been ordered to evacuate.
The wildfires also spread across the state line into North Carolina, where one of the largest blazes covered 400 acres in Uwharrie National Forest, according to the Associated Press. Another wildfire near Polk County, N.C., spanned about 500 acres, AP said.
Meanwhile, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said the state would enforce a law against price gouging, which is part of the governor’s state of emergency.
“We could see normal price increases, and those are not considered price gouging under our law,” Wilson said in a news release. “But we may see businesses and individuals looking to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of food, gasoline, lodging, and other commodities as defined by the statute. By our law, that’s a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice.”
Related Article: A Powerful Prayer for Firefighters
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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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Originally published March 03, 2025.
