The South Carolina Forestry Commission lifted the statewide burn ban at 7 a.m. Monday, March 30, ending restrictions that had been in place since Friday as wildfire danger spiked across the state.
The agency announced Sunday that the extremely low relative humidity and gusty winds that prompted the March 27 State Forester’s Burning Ban had eased, allowing the statewide restriction to be lifted Monday morning.
Officials cautioned, however, that the threat of wildfire had not disappeared.
“Just because the burning ban is being lifted, it does not mean the fire danger is gone,” SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones said in the agency’s release. “Most of the state is still very dry, and the risk of fires igniting easily remains.”
Jones urged residents to remain cautious with any outdoor burning and warned that fires can reignite days later if not fully extinguished.
The statewide ban had prohibited most outdoor burning in unincorporated areas, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires.
Although the ban ended Monday morning, the Forestry Commission said drought conditions remained elevated across much of South Carolina and above-average fire danger was expected to continue through April, which historically sees some of the state’s most damaging and costly wildfires.
Rain chances were expected to increase later this week, but officials said forecasted rainfall was not expected to significantly improve drought conditions.
The agency also reminded residents that state law still requires outdoor burning notification in many cases.
People living in unincorporated areas who plan to burn residential yard debris, such as leaves, limbs or branches, must notify the Forestry Commission before burning. Those inside city or town limits must still follow any local ordinances.
Residents can make that notification online at scfc.gov/notify or by calling the county-specific toll-free number listed on the Forestry Commission’s website.
State law also requires notification before prescribed burns for forestry, wildlife management or agricultural purposes. Those burns must comply with South Carolina Smoke Management Guidelines. Prescribed burn notifications can be made by calling (800) 777-3473.
The Forestry Commission warned that anyone whose fire escapes will be held responsible under the law.
