Latest news with #StateForester'sBurningBan
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why was burn ban lifted in 41 SC counties but not in the Upstate? Forestry Commission explains
The State Forester's Burning Ban for 41 South Carolina counties has been lifted as of 6 a.m. Monday, March 31. Only five counties remain under the ban, including Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg. Data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission shows the Table Rock Complex Fire has grown over 12,000 acres, making it the largest mountain wildfire in the state's history. The fire is also 30% contained, with the Persimmon Ridge Fire 64% contained. Residents may be wondering why the burn ban has been lifted in other counties as the wildfires continue to blaze. Here's what we know. A burning ban is an emergency measure where outdoor burning is legally prohibited. It is only declared when outdoor burning is considered a significant threat to public safety, according to the Forestry Commission. There are two types of burning bans under S.C. state law: ∎ State Forester's Burning Ban: Declared by the director of the Forestry Commission and prohibits starting any fire in or adjacent to "woodlands, brush lands, grasslands, ditch banks, or hedgerows" (SC Code 48-35-50). This includes all types of outdoor burning. ∎ Governor's Burn Ban: Less restrictive, making allowance of certain agricultural burning (SC Code 48-31-30). The Forestry Commission has decided to lift the burn ban in 41 counties because the "dangerous combination of low relative humidities and gusty winds that prompted the March 21 outdoor burning prohibition has improved and is expected to ease significantly across the state over the next week." In the media advisory, Fire Chief Darryl Jones also said "Burning bans are not intended to be extended, much less permanent, solutions to wildfires. Prescribed burns in particular are necessary tools for forestry and agriculture, but we can't emphasize enough the importance of using fire prudently and respecting the weather." Above average fire danger and activity is expected throughout April, when S.C. has historically experienced the most damaging and costly wildfires. Residents who burn outdoors and allow their fires to escape are warned they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The burn ban is being held in place in these five counties so the Forestry Commission and fire department personnel/equipment can remain dedicated to the Table Rock Complex fires in Greenville and Pickens counties, which have grown to a combined 13,000 acres. Horry County's ban remains in effect while Forestry Commission resources continue to focus their efforts on mop-up and strengthening firebreaks around the Myrtle Beach-Covington Drive Fire, which is 85% contained. Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg counties still under burn ban
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Horry County remains under burn ban, 41 other counties lifted
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Horry County is one of five across the state that will not see its burn ban lifted, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said Sunday. The State Forester's Burning Ban will be lifted for 41 counties. The five who will not see this lift include Horry, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg. Those counties will remain under the burn ban until further notice. The ban in Horry County remains in place while the Forestry Commission resources continue to focus their efforts on mop-up and strengthening firebreaks around the Covington Drive Fire, which is now 85% contained. Crews continue to put out flare-ups in Carolina Forest wildfire 'Burning bans are not intended to be extended, much less permanent, solutions to wildfires,' SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones said. 'Prescribed burns in particular are necessary tools for forestry and agriculture, but we can't emphasize enough the importance of using fire prudently and respecting the weather.' The Forestry Commission also said that the amount of personnel and equipment that is dedicated to the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties, which includes two wildfires that have grown to a combined 13,000-plus acres, has potential to strain the capacity of local response to new wildfire ignitions. The lifted ban in the other 41 counties comes from the improvement of low relative humidity and gusty winds since the March 21 burning ban. These conditions are expected to ease significantly across the state over the next week, the Forestry Commission said. Underlying conditions still warrant extreme caution when burning outdoors, the commission said. Above-average fire danger and activity is expected through April, which has historically seen the worst, most damaging and costly wildfires in South Carolina. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Statewide burn ban issued for South Carolina amid elevated risk of wildfire
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A statewide burn ban has been issued for South Carolina starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The commission is issuing a State Forester's Burning Ban for all counties, a news release said. This specific burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state. Officials say weather conditions over the next several days present a greatly elevated risk of wildfire. The high winds and gusts that prompted the Red Flag Fire Alert on Thursday are expected to continue across the state through the weekend. Extremely low relative humidity, reaching below 30% in most areas, also add to the fire danger, according to the news release. 'The combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity is a recipe for wildfires igniting easily and spreading rapidly,' Darryl Jones, SCFC fire chief said. 'Especially when you add to the mix the abundance of dry, late-winter fuels on the ground.' The ban will stay in effect until further notice. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires scorch the Carolinas, SC Governor McMaster declares state of emergency
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Sunday declared a state of emergency as firefighters battle hundreds of wildfires across the Carolinas. "I have declared a State of Emergency to further support wildfire response efforts across the state and ensure our first responders continue to have the resources they need," McMaster wrote in a post on X. "A statewide outdoor burning ban remains in effect—violators will be prosecuted. Please stay informed." Nearly 5,000 acres have burned in the Palmetto State, with 170 fires reported, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC). Ignitions were caused by very low relative humidity, coupled with drying fuels resulting from the lack of significant rain. High winds led the fires to grow and spread rapidly. Woman Accused Of Looting From Home In Palisades Fire Area While Wearing 'Palisades Strong' Shirt The largest of the fires is in Carolina Forest, a community 10 miles west of Myrtle Beach in Horry County. Read On The Fox News App As of Sunday afternoon, the wildfire incinerated 1,200 acres and was 0% contained, according to the SCFC. Sen. Schiff Urges Trump Admin To Exclude Firefighters From Federal Hiring Freeze More than 400 firefighters are battling the blaze with at least 127 fire apparatus, according to the Horry County Fire Department. No structures have been lost, and no injuries have been reported, as of Sunday morning. The South Carolina Army National Guard sent two Black Hawk helicopters on Sunday to assist the SCFC and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources with wildfire containment. The Black Hawk water buckets can carry approximately 600 gallons of water, according to the guard. The SCFC also issued a State Forester's Burning Ban for all counties, which prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning and campfires in all unincorporated areas of the state. The ban, which will send anyone who sets a fire to jail, will stay in effect until further notice. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Forest Service estimates a brush fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 40 miles south of Asheville, is between 400 and 500 acres and is 0% contained, as of Sunday afternoon. The Melrose Fire, burning in the Saluda and Tryon communities, was caused by a downed power line, according to Saluda Fire & Rescue. The fire rapidly spread up the mountain, threatening multiple structures. North Carolina Emergency Management said there are ongoing air operations to battle the article source: Wildfires scorch the Carolinas, SC Governor McMaster declares state of emergency
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires scorch the Carolinas, SC Governor McMaster declares state of emergency
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Sunday declared a state of emergency as firefighters battle hundreds of wildfires across the Carolinas. "I have declared a State of Emergency to further support wildfire response efforts across the state and ensure our first responders continue to have the resources they need," McMaster wrote in a post on X. "A statewide outdoor burning ban remains in effect—violators will be prosecuted. Please stay informed." Nearly 5,000 acres have burned in the Palmetto State, with 170 fires reported, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC). Ignitions were caused by very low relative humidity, coupled with drying fuels resulting from the lack of significant rain. High winds led the fires to grow and spread rapidly. Woman Accused Of Looting From Home In Palisades Fire Area While Wearing 'Palisades Strong' Shirt The largest of the fires is in Carolina Forest, a community 10 miles west of Myrtle Beach in Horry County. Read On The Fox News App As of Sunday afternoon, the wildfire incinerated 1,200 acres and was 0% contained, according to the SCFC. Sen. Schiff Urges Trump Admin To Exclude Firefighters From Federal Hiring Freeze More than 400 firefighters are battling the blaze with at least 127 fire apparatus, according to the Horry County Fire Department. No structures have been lost, and no injuries have been reported, as of Sunday morning. The South Carolina Army National Guard sent two Black Hawk helicopters on Sunday to assist the SCFC and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources with wildfire containment. The Black Hawk water buckets can carry approximately 600 gallons of water, according to the guard. The SCFC also issued a State Forester's Burning Ban for all counties, which prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning and campfires in all unincorporated areas of the state. The ban, which will send anyone who sets a fire to jail, will stay in effect until further notice. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Forest Service estimates a brush fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 40 miles south of Asheville, is between 400 and 500 acres and is 0% contained, as of Sunday afternoon. The Melrose Fire, burning in the Saluda and Tryon communities, was caused by a downed power line, according to Saluda Fire & Rescue. The fire rapidly spread up the mountain, threatening multiple structures. North Carolina Emergency Management said there are ongoing air operations to battle the article source: Wildfires scorch the Carolinas, SC Governor McMaster declares state of emergency
