Statewide burning ban lifted – with conditions

April 21, 2020

Statewide burning ban lifted – with conditions

The South Carolina Forestry Commission has lifted the statewide burning ban, effective 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 21.

However, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has implemented special requirements for burning storm-related debris to protect public health during the COVID-19 response.

Storm debris burn piles should contain only yard debris, including leaves, limbs, tree branches, small logs and clean wood.

Chipping and grinding yard debris is strongly encouraged.

The initial burn must be started between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; no combustible material should be added to the fire between 3 p.m. of one day and 9 a.m. the following day.

Burn piles should be at least 100 feet from the property line or other structures. Burn sites should always be attended and have water available to put out the fire.

To minimize smoke from the burn pile, the amount of dirt on the material should be limited, and the prevailing winds must be away from public roadways and residential areas.

As always, state law requires citizens who live outside of town limits to notify the S.C. Forestry Commission and take the proper precautions before burning outdoors. Town residents must continue to get burn permits from their local governments.

Campfire and fire pit burns, residential yard debris burns and prescribed burns will all be allowed to resume as normal.