Wildfires break out in the Carolinas, prompting evacuations

Firefighters on Sunday began to gain an upper hand on more than 170 wildfires in North and South Carolina that had prompted evacuations, officials said.

Residents near the largest fire, which stretched across 1,600 acres and threatened Carolina Forest, a community just west of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County, were allowed to return home Sunday after being evacuated overnight, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.

Officials warned residents to watch for any rekindling in hot spots. The fire was 30% contained by Sunday evening, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Dramatic video from Sunday morning showed firefighters battling flames as the fire neared houses. No injuries have been reported and no buildings have been lost in the fire, according to Horry County officials.

Public safety workers knocked on doors and blasted messages through public announcement systems overnight as evacuation orders expanded.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Sunday and said that a statewide burn ban would remain in effect indefinitely.

Another fire in Horry County that burned about 800 acres was 80% contained as of Sunday afternoon, the forestry commission said on social media.

The state fire marshal said that there were more than 175 wildfires in the state burning a total of 4,200 acres, according to the governor’s office. Most of them were “effectively contained” by Sunday afternoon, the commission said.

© 2025 The New York Times Company