By: Tracy Sanders, Publisher
tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Forestry Commission has announced a statewide burning ban that will take effect at 7 a.m. on Friday, April 17, citing dangerous wildfire conditions across the state.
The State Forester’s Burning Ban applies to all counties and prohibits outdoor burning in unincorporated areas. This includes yard debris burning, prescribed burns, campfires, bonfires, and other recreational fires.
Officials say the decision comes as a result of a combination of high-risk factors, including worsening drought conditions, low relative humidity, and gusty winds expected with an approaching cold front. These conditions significantly increase the likelihood of wildfires starting and spreading rapidly.
“When it’s this dry – energy release component values are at high-to-critical levels – we’re just as likely, if not more, to see wildfires that are fuel-driven rather than wind-driven,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “Add the other volatile conditions of increased wind and lower relative humidity, and it becomes an especially precarious situation.”
Jones added that these conditions not only make fires easier to ignite but also more difficult for firefighters to control.
The ban does not apply to fires used for cooking or fires contained within proper enclosures, such as portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, or permanent fire pits made of noncombustible materials that meet state fire codes. However, officials urge residents to use extreme caution even under these exceptions.
Residents are also advised to avoid activities that could create sparks, including operating certain equipment, parking vehicles on dry grass, or using fireworks.
The burning ban will remain in place until further notice and will be lifted only after an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.
According to the Forestry Commission, escaped debris burns are the leading cause of wildfires in South Carolina, accounting for more fires than lightning, arson, and equipment use combined.
