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Myrtle Beach Faces Air Quality Alert Due to Wildfire Smoke

Myrtle Beach landscape affected by wildfire smoke

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News Summary

Myrtle Beach residents are urged to be cautious as an air quality alert has been issued due to smoke from nearby wildfires affecting the area. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services warns that particulate levels could reach unhealthy levels, impacting not only Myrtle Beach but also surrounding areas like Socastee and North Myrtle Beach. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities and keep their windows closed to minimize smoke exposure. Health experts recommend staying indoors, especially for those with respiratory conditions. A cold front is expected to bring relief soon.

Myrtle Beach Suffers from Wildfire Smoke: Air Quality Alert Issued!

Attention, beautiful Myrtle Beach! It’s time to pay close attention to the air you’re breathing. The local weather experts have just issued an air quality alert for our area, and it’s all due to smoke from nearby wildfires. Yes, you read that right! An alert went into effect on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 5:19 p.m., impacting not just Myrtle Beach but the surrounding Northern Horry County area as well.

What’s Happening?

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has warned that fine particulate concentrations in the air may approach or even exceed unhealthy levels because of the smoke generated by local wildfires. Sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it? With that in mind, residents are strongly advised to limit outdoor activities, especially if you’ve got any respiratory issues. Keeping your windows and doors closed is a must to minimize smoke exposure in your home.

Stay Cool, Stay Safe

If you’re unsure about how to cope with this smoky situation, don’t worry! Using air conditioning is a good idea to keep that indoor air fresh and clean. But just a tiny tip—make sure the fresh-air intake is closed and that your filter is in tip-top shape. Let’s keep that air pure and pollution-free as much as we can!

Where is the Alert Affecting?

So, which areas are seeing the impact of this alert? It’s not just Myrtle Beach—we’re talking about towns like Socastee, North Myrtle Beach, Garden City, and many more! Residents from Conway, Longs, Bucksport, Loris, Green Sea, and Aynor are also affected. If you live in these areas, it’s definitely time to be mindful of the smoke situation.

Wildfire Woes

Now, let’s talk about why we’re dealing with this smoky predicament. The wildfire risk in our region has increased dramatically, thanks to windy conditions and a moderate drought. In fact, just a day prior on March 7, 2025, a statewide red flag fire alert was declared, which means conditions are ripe for fires to ignite and spread rapidly. There’s currently a 1,600-acre wildfire being fought by brave firefighters in unincorporated Horry County. They’re working hard to contain it, but smoke is still drifting into our area.

Meteorological Insights

Meteorologist Victoria Oliva has shared that the lingering smoke is particularly concerning for the Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach areas. The current high-pressure situation is making it difficult for the smoke to disperse, causing an uptick in those pesky fine particulate concentrations. Yikes!

Health Precautions

Health experts are also weighing in. Dr. Paul Richardson, the Chief Medical Officer at Conway Medical Center, is emphasizing the importance of staying indoors for anyone with chronic lung conditions. Safety comes first, folks! And for parents worrying about their kids, local schools in the Carolina Forest area are still open as per usual. They’re even excusing absences for children who might be under the weather due to smoke exposure.

School Safety Measures

To further safeguard our little ones, Horry County Schools have proactively adjusted their HVAC systems to minimize outdoor air intake. Plus, facilities are equipped with Bipolar Ionization filtration units, which means that while kids are learning, they can breathe easier indoors.

A Silver Lining? Rain on the Way!

As we look ahead, there’s some potentially good news in the forecast! A cold front is expected to arrive soon, bringing light rain and more favorable wind conditions—fingers crossed for some relief! This could help the firefighters with their efforts and perhaps clear up some of that smoky air.

So, Myrtle Beach, let’s stay informed and take care of ourselves and each other in the face of this smoky challenge!