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Forestry Commission warns of elevated wildfire risk after busy 2025 season
Summary
The Forestry Commission reported 2025 was among the busiest wildfire seasons in decades, with two large complexes and above‑average early‑2026 fire risk; officials credited new aviation and equipment investments but asked the legislature to support preparedness funding and legislation for public alerts.
A senior official from the South Carolina Forestry Commission briefed the House Agriculture Committee on the agency’s wildfire response, saying 2025 produced an unusually active season and that the state should prepare for above‑average risk early in 2026.
The commission reported responding to 1,562 wildfires in 2025 that burned more than 32,000 acres, including two large complexes (the Covington Drive complex near Myrtle Beach and the Table Rock fire in the Upstate). Officials said coordinated response with state, local and federal partners led to no homes or lives lost despite evacuations.
The commission credited recent investments — single‑engine airtankers and enclosed‑cab frontline bulldozers — with improving response, and said the agency will reach a milestone of replacing frontline tractors within a safe‑replacement cycle. Officials noted the agency’s 2026 fire‑weather outlook shows above‑average risk for January–March across much of the state and urged continued investment and public outreach, including support for a bill (referred to as Bill 4478 in testimony) to create a no‑burn alert that could be pushed to phones.
The commission provided the committee with a one‑page summary of budget requests informed by 2025 lessons and offered invitation for lawmakers to review resources and participate in demonstrations of new equipment.
