Woodbury

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Woodbury Fire was reported on April 14, 2026, in the Woodbury Wildlife Management Area of Marion County, South Carolina, approximately 10 miles east of Hemingway.
Size and Containment: As of the latest reports over the last 72 hours, the fire has burned approximately 1,750 acres and is currently 60% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire is exhibiting moderate fire behavior with group torching and smoldering. It is being fueled by dry surface vegetation typical for the region, including dead leaves, grasses, pine needles, brush, and southern rough timber. The fire spread rapidly from an initial 200 acres to 1,750 acres.
Containment Efforts: The incident is being actively managed by local responders and the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC). Crews are working to reinforce containment lines and monitor for threats to nearby residences. Earlier in the week, the Forestry Commission conducted a large burnout operation to remove fuel between the advancing fire front and nearby roads. The estimated cost of the fire response is currently $50,000.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders reported for the Woodbury Fire.
Evacuation Warnings: There are no evacuation warnings in place at this time.
Curfew: No curfews have been announced.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: As there are no active evacuations, no specific evacuation shelters have been opened for this incident, and the estimated number of people impacted by evacuations is zero.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• There are currently no reported road or infrastructure closures associated with the Woodbury Fire.

For more information, visit:

• South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC)
• Marion County Emergency Management
• South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) 511

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Woodbury Fire.
Structures Impacted: While local residences were initially reported as threatened, there is no information indicating that any structures have been damaged or destroyed by this fire.
School and Business Closures: There are no school or business closures reported, though neighboring school districts have noted visible smoke in the area.
Notable Impacts: The fire is producing a significant amount of "pungent" smoke and ash that is heavily impacting neighboring areas, including Conway and Horry County. Ash has been reported covering vehicles and homes, and residents have had to close their windows to keep the smoke out.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: There are no reported power outages associated with this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Due to extreme fire danger, the South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued a State Forester's Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 7 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026. This ban prohibits all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, and bonfires.
Air Quality: The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services has issued an Air Quality Alert for Horry County for fine particulates due to the wildfire smoke. Calm, stagnant weather conditions have limited smoke dispersion. Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed, and use air conditioning with fresh-air intakes closed.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire is currently 60% contained. Firefighters are expected to continue monitoring the area and reinforcing containment lines until the fire is fully extinguished.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Near-critical to critical fire weather conditions remain a concern for the region. A critical decrease in relative humidity over the next several days, combined with gusty winds expected to accompany an approaching cold front, will create extreme fire danger through the weekend.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The fire was caused by human activity. Specifically, it resulted from the reignition of a prescribed burn originally conducted in early March in the Woodbury Wildlife Management Area managed by the SC Department of Natural Resources.
Weather and Climate: The fire is being fueled by extreme fire weather conditions. South Carolina is experiencing an unusually strong upper-level ridge of high pressure, referred to as a "heat dome," which is sending temperatures into record territory (upper 80s to 90s) and squashing precipitation chances. The state is facing abnormally dry to severe drought conditions, leaving vegetation highly susceptible to ignition and causing fires to be fuel-driven.

For more information, visit:

• South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC)
• South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
• Horry County Fire Rescue Updates