Wildfire Update

The ban on outdoor burning has been cancelled for all South Carolina counties. Forestry Commission authorities explained that as resources are released from the fire near Myrtle Beach the agency's ability to respond to wildfires across the state will return to a pre-incident level.



Officials warned, however, that citizens need to remain vigilant for wildfires, since forest fuels are dry and wildfire danger is relatively high.



State Forester Gene Kodama declared the ban Thursday morning in response to the strain on the Commission's resources caused by the Horry County wildfire. While in effect, the ban prohibited outdoor burning in all unincorporated areas of South Carolina.



During the four-day ban, Forestry Commission firefighters responded to 56 wildfires which burned 1,148 acres, including a fire that burned more than 1,000 acres on Sandy Island in Georgetown County.



Even with the lifting of the burning ban, citizens are reminded that outdoor burning is still regulated by state law. The law requires anyone planning to burn outdoors to first notify the Forestry Commission, then conduct the burning according to prescribed safety regulations.

STATEWIDE BURNING BAN DECLARED

State Forester Gene Kodama has issued a ban on outdoor burning in all SC counties. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the state.

Kodama said high winds and low humidity fanned a large wildfire in Horry County yesterday and the fire is still not contained. There were other fires in other portions of the state as well. This Burning Ban is a response to his concern that so many S C Forestry Commission resources are already committed and no immediate relief is in sight.

Forestry Commission firefighters are at the highest level of readiness and are bracing for another day of intense activity. The public is asked to immediately report any suspicious smoke or fire to 911 or the Forestry Commission Dispatch Center, 1-800-777-FIRE.

Violators of the burning ban are subject to fines of up to $100 plus costs of court. Forestry Commission officers will be patrolling the state and issuing citations for all illegal fires.

STATEWIDE BURNING BAN DECLARED

State Forester Gene Kodama has issued a ban on outdoor burning in all SC counties. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the state.

Kodama said high winds and low humidity fanned a large wildfire in Horry County yesterday and the fire is still not contained. There were other fires in other portions of the state as well. This Burning Ban is a response to his concern that so many S C Forestry Commission resources are already committed and no immediate relief is in sight.

Forestry Commission firefighters are at the highest level of readiness and are bracing for another day of intense activity. The public is asked to immediately report any suspicious smoke or fire to 911 or the Forestry Commission Dispatch Center, 1-800-777-FIRE.

Violators of the burning ban are subject to fines of up to $100 plus costs of court. Forestry Commission officers will be patrolling the state and issuing citations for all illegal fires.