WILDFIRE UPDATE/SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS ON WILDFIRE OPERATIONS: 3/5/25 at 8 a.m.
Heavy winds and some rain are expected to hit Horry County today, starting around midmorning, continuing through the early afternoon.
Please continue to closely follow Horry County Emergency Management Department and local forecasts, as things can change quickly.
Power outages are possible. Remember to report them to your respective utility company.
It's important to note the severe weather threat will be all across Horry County, not just in the Carolina Forest area--911 Emergency Specialists, Horry County Police Department and Horry County Fire Rescue crews will be busy with emergency calls.
On the Covington Drive Fire incident, due to heavy winds, there are no current plans to have air drops from aerial assets.
Horry County Fire Rescue crews will not be able to fly drones above the incident when winds exceed 40 miles per hour. This may limit strategic response to flare-ups and reported spot fires.
Because many trees in the burned areas have been compromised structurally, responding firefighters will be flowing water from the outside, to maintain containment levels, not entering the woods for safety reasons if winds are too intense.
Heavy winds could increase fire response on the large-scale wildfire incident. The burn ban will be strictly enforced.
Access to the communities near the Tuckahoe Bay will be limited, with HCPD crews staged at the entrance to each to allow first responders the ability to get to potential fires and issues as quickly and safely as possible.
Assisting agencies have continued to come in and cycle out from across the state. While these departments aren't based here, they're fighting fire like Horry County is their home—we can't appreciate their support and hard work enough. Thank you each and every one of those firefighters and their respective agencies.
As of the time of this post, South Carolina Forestry Commission reports 30% containment and a 2,059-acre footprint.