Smoke from South Carolina Wildfire Drifts into North Carolina

Health officials advise residents to stay indoors as haze and smoke impact air quality.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and brown, with a thick haze of smoke obscuring the horizon and dwarfing the small structures visible in the foreground, conveying the overwhelming power of nature.Smoke from a distant wildfire casts an eerie, oppressive haze over a small North Carolina community, underscoring the region's vulnerability to the impacts of extreme weather.Wilmington Today

Smoke and haze from a wildfire in South Carolina have drifted into southeastern North Carolina, prompting health officials to warn residents to limit outdoor exposure. The smoke is expected to linger for several days as southwest winds continue to push the particulate matter northeast.

Why it matters

Wildfires and poor air quality can pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. This incident highlights the interconnected nature of weather patterns and the potential for regional impacts from localized disasters.

The details

The smoke traveled overnight from Marion County, South Carolina, and is expected to continue affecting the region over the next few days due to the prevailing southwest wind patterns. Health officials advise residents to stay indoors when possible, as exposure to the particulate matter in the air could lead to respiratory issues and other health problems.

  • The smoke drifted into southeastern North Carolina overnight on April 13, 2026.
  • Southwest winds are expected to continue pushing the smoke northeast over the next several days.

The players

Gannon Medwick

First Alert Weather Chief Meteorologist who provided updates on the smoke's movement and expected weather patterns.

Jon Campbell

New Hanover County Health Department official who advised residents on the potential health impacts of the smoke.

David Stone

New Hanover County Fire Marshal who reminded residents of the statewide burn ban in place to prevent similar wildfires.

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What they’re saying

“'Well, it kind of picked its way with the wind flow from southwest to northeast through the night, and it kind of leaves us vulnerable because we're gonna have southwest winds over the next couple of days.'”

— Gannon Medwick, First Alert Weather Chief Meteorologist

“'And certainly if you are in an environment where you're exposed to the particulate matter that's in the air. And you start having coughing, breathing difficulties, sore throat, things of that nature, then you should seek medical care.'”

— Jon Campbell, New Hanover County Health Department

“'Something blowing out of someone's fire pit could very easily start a large-scale wildland fire like what we're seeing down in South Carolina right now.'”

— David Stone, New Hanover County Fire Marshal

What’s next

The smoke is expected to linger into Wednesday morning and midday, and the threat of more fires will remain as dry and hot conditions continue this week.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of regional coordination and preparedness for natural disasters, as well as the need for vigilance in fire prevention during periods of high risk. Residents should heed the advice of local officials and take necessary precautions to protect their health and safety.