As wildfires rage across South Carolina, Clarendon County Fire Rescue (CCFR) officials are urging residents to follow the statewide burn ban and help stop further destruction. Since Wednesday, over 600 acres have burned in Clarendon County alone, with firefighters battling fires across the region as dry, windy conditions fuel the blazes.
A statewide burning ban was issued by Governor Henry McMaster on Saturday, March 1, following a surge in wildfire activity. On Sunday, McMaster declared a state of emergency as firefighters worked to contain the devastation. Since Friday, more than 100 wildfires have been reported across the state, with six still active as of Sunday morning, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC). One hundred seventy-five fires have burned over 4,200 acres statewide in the past week, mostly between February 28 and March 2.
Despite the burn ban, CCFR is still responding to fires caused by illegal burning. “We still responded to three or four [fires] yesterday where people are still burning,” said Lieutenant April Conyers of CCFR. “People are burning leaves, trash piles, burn barrels, and the wind’s blowing. It’s getting out of hand.”
CCFR Chief Michael A. Johnson emphasized that current weather conditions make fire control even more difficult. “The humidity is very low. So, we have a dry air mass over us. We don’t have the tropical moisture being pushed in like normal, so it’s really dry,” Johnson explained. “People could have lit a fire the day before, thought it was out, and then the wind picks up, and next thing you know, it’s going again.”
The fire rescue team is stretched thin, balancing fire and emergency medical service (EMS) calls. “The unique thing about Clarendon County Fire Rescue is we’re a combined agency with EMS,” Johnson said. “So, in addition to responding to all of these fires, we still have lots and lots of medical calls across this county.” Lieutenant April Conyers added, “We’re running about 20 to 30, 40 calls a day between fire and EMS.”
Despite scarce resources in their own county, CCFR has sent personnel and resources to assist Horry County, one of the hardest-hit areas in the state. “We sent two to Horry yesterday, and then today we’re sending two more to relieve those two,” said Conyers. “We have one apparatus and two personnel in Horry County.”
With local fire crews already understaffed, officials are urging residents to adhere to the burn ban and calling for more volunteers. Residents can visit the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s website for more information on fire safety. The SCFC provides helpful guidelines on preventing wildfires and staying safe during dangerous conditions.
Clarendon County Fire Rescue and other local agencies are working tirelessly to protect the community. Their message is simple: Stop burning. Follow the ban. And if you’re willing to help, consider volunteering.
