SC fire ban continues as wildfires flare up
The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties across the state last Friday, March 21, and on Saturday, March 22, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency as a fire at Table Rock State Park in Pickens County continued to rage.
The State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state.
Forestry Commission officials said weather conditions present a greatly elevated risk of wildfire. The high winds and gusts that prompted the agency to issue a Red Flag Fire Alert persisted across the state over the weekend.
Additionally, extremely low relative humidities – reaching below 30% in most areas – add to the fire danger.
“The combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity is a recipe for wildfires igniting easily and spreading rapidly,” said forestry commission chief Darryl Jones in a statement, “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, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.
McMaster's executive order declaring a State of Emergency to support South Carolina's ongoing response to the Table Rock bolsters emergency efforts as firefighters work to contain the fire.
"As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property," McMaster said in the announcement. "Given the elevated risk of wildfires throughout the state, the statewide burning ban will remain in effect until further notice. Anyone who violates this ban can and will go to jail."
Jones heeded the governor's call for vigilance.
“We always urge all South Carolinians to stay vigilant against wildfire, but the best way people can do that right now is to take seriously – and abide by – the Forestry Commission’s current statewide burning ban,” Jones said. “As we warned when issuing the ban, weather conditions across the state are presenting a greatly elevated risk for wildfire, and we’re seeing that play out at the Table Rock fire and elsewhere.”
South Carolina State Parks announced that all trails at Table Rock State Park are closed until further notice. Residents are urged to stay informed through local channels and to report any debris fires to local fire and law enforcement authorities immediately.