Right now, if you look at a map of south carolina fires, you’re probably seeing a lot of red dots. It’s January 2026. Peak wildfire season just kicked off here in the Palmetto State. Most folks think wildfires are a "West Coast problem," but honestly, South Carolina gets hit with thousands of fires every single year.
It’s dry. The humidity is tanking. We’re in a La Niña pattern, which basically means we’re warmer and drier than usual. That makes for some pretty twitchy fire conditions.
But here is the thing: those maps you’re looking at? They don't always show what you think they show.
The Map Isn't Always the Fire
People hop onto the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) website or pull up NASA’s FIRMS data and see a cluster of icons. They panic. They think the woods behind their house are in or imminent danger.
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Actually, the majority of those dots on a map of south carolina fires during the winter and early spring are prescribed burns.
Landowners and state agencies use "good fire" to clear out underbrush. If they didn't, the "bad fire" (wildfires) would be much worse. When you see a notification on the SCFC live map, it’s often just a farmer or a forester letting the state know they’re burning off yard debris or managing a pine stand.
Why the 2026 Season Feels Different
We've had a weird start to the year. Just a few days ago, around January 16, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that while the national preparedness level is low, the South is active. South Carolina, Georgia, and Oklahoma are the current "hot spots."
We already saw a 2000-acre fire in Horry County earlier this season. That’s big for us.
- Fuels are dead: Everything that grew last summer is now dormant and crispy.
- Wind is high: We’re seeing gusts of 30 to 40 mph.
- Human error: 98% of our fires are started by people. Usually, it's just a neighbor burning a pile of leaves that gets away from them.
How to Read the Real Maps
If you want to know what’s actually happening, you've got to use the right tools. The SC Forestry Commission has an interactive dashboard that separates active wildfires from burning notifications.
Look for the "KBDI" values. This is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index. It ranges from 0 to 800.
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- Under 200: Everything is moist. Fire won't move much.
- 400 to 600: This is the danger zone. Fires start easily and burn deep into the organic matter in the soil.
- Over 600: Extreme. If a fire starts, it’s going to be a monster to put out.
You can also use apps like Watch Duty. It’s run by volunteers who listen to radio scanners in real-time. Often, they’ll post a perimeter map before the official state sites even update. It’s kinda the "boots on the ground" version of fire tracking.
The "Red Flag" Confusion
I see this every year. The National Weather Service issues a "Red Flag Warning," and the SC Forestry Commission issues a "Red Flag Fire Alert."
They sound the same. They aren't.
A National Weather Service warning is about the weather—low humidity and high wind. An SCFC Fire Alert is a plea to the public to stop burning because the ground is too dry. Interestingly, a Red Flag Alert isn't technically a legal ban on its own, but it often triggers local county bans. If you ignore the map of south carolina fires alerts and start a fire that escapes, you're looking at some heavy fines—and potentially a lawsuit.
The Law and Your Backyard
If you live in an unincorporated area, you must notify the Forestry Commission before you light a match. It’s state law.
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- Check the daily fire weather forecast.
- Clear a firebreak (bare dirt) around your pile.
- Have a hose and tools ready.
- Stay with the fire until it’s dead out.
If you're inside city limits, the Forestry Commission doesn't have jurisdiction—your local fire department does. Most cities like Columbia, Charleston, or Greenville have much stricter rules about smoke and open flames.
What to Do Next
Don't just stare at a satellite map and wonder if that smudge of smoke is a threat.
First, download the SCFC mobile wildfire app. It gives you a localized look at the map of south carolina fires near your GPS coordinates. Second, check your county's specific burning ordinances. Places like Lexington County have a 75-foot rule near structures that catches a lot of people off guard.
If you see a new fire that isn't on the map yet, don't wait for the internet to catch up. Call 911. In South Carolina, minutes are the difference between a small brush fire and a crown fire that takes out a neighborhood.
Stay aware, keep your gutters clear of pine needles, and maybe hold off on that leaf pile until we get a good soaking rain.