MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - Officials said a wildfire in the Carolina Forest area that has burned over 2,000 acres is still considered an “active incident.”

Horry County Fire Rescue said Thursday that the blaze, which was first reported on March 1, has caused frequent reports of smoke in the area and flames on the fire ground.

CAROLINA FOREST FIRE UPDATE/SMOKE NOTICE The Carolina Forest-area fire that was first reported on March 1 is still an...
Posted by Horry County Fire Rescue on Thursday, April 24, 2025

As of Thursday, the fire known as the Covington Drive Fire remains 90% contained, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

HCFR said its crews in the area are responding to reports and have found flare-ups and highly visible smoke originating from within contained areas of the wildfire. The agency added that a small flare-up will find a contained, unburned area to burn and cause multiple 911 calls.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission said many in the area have seen smoke columns due to “re-burning of fuels” as pine straw falls onto smoldering areas.

Many people have seen smoke columns of various sizes and colors in the Carolina Forest area of Horry County in the past week. This is due to re-burning of fuels. Pine straw has been falling with the recent winds and as it falls onto smoldering peat, it begins to burn and sometimes reaches taller shrubs. This re-burning will continue until the area receives significant rain. The fire has not grown in acreage. Horry County Fire Rescue and SC Forestry Commission crews are still monitoring areas, installing sprinklers and hoselays as needed and utilizing HCFR UTVs with pumps as well as the SCFC firetrack.
Posted by The South Carolina Forestry Commission on Thursday, April 24, 2025

Officials said while they do encourage anyone seeing significant smoke or flare-ups to report it to 911, but also to be aware that smoke could also be coming from the contained area of the wildfire.

“This smoke may be heavy, and low-hanging many mornings, especially around the Carolina Forest Boulevard, Highway 90, Highway 501 and International Drive areas,” HCFR said in its statement.

The agency also said the smoke will linger for the foreseeable future, or until a long period of heavy rainfall. It was explained this is due to hot spots underneath the surface that are are inaccessible to water fro hoses and sprinklers.

“We sincerely appreciate the residents and guests of the Carolina Forest area, and Horry County as a whole, for understanding the reality of this wildfire and its effects on the area,” HCFR said in its statement.

As of Thursday morning, unincorporated areas of Horry County, such as Carolina Forest, remain under a county-issued burn ban. HCFR said it’s encouraging residents not to do any open burning until the ban is lifted.

The SCFC also said its crews are also assisting HCFR in monitoring the area.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.