Burning ban lifted in most South Carolina counties, except two

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Forestry Commission has lifted the statewide burning ban for all but two counties in South Carolina.

Georgetown County and Horry County will remain under the burning ban until further notice.

The statewide ban was issued on Saturday due to an intense outbreak of wildfires across the state. This prompted Governor Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency on Sunday.

According to the SC Forestry Commission, the dangerous combination of dry fuels and gusty winds that led to the elevated wildfire risk has eased temporarily, and the rain across the state also improved the conditions.

Georgetown and Horry County are still at elevated wildfire risk and are the scenes of large response efforts. Officials say the 2,000+ acre Covington Drive Fire outside Myrtle Beach in Horry County remains the largest active incident in the state.

Hundreds of personnel and resources are being deployed to combat the fire. Firefighters continue to monitor separate hotspots near the area that were previously contained.

Georgetown County faces an ongoing risk to residential areas due to a wildfire that is contained but still uncontrolled. This situation requires the full support of local firefighters and other county organizations.

Officials say underlying conditions still warrant the need for caution in all counties. Those who choose to conduct outdoor burning should act with caution as drought and elevated fire risk are expected for the rest of March and through April.

Citizens who plan to conduct outdoor burning of residential yard debris or prescribed burns
must still notify the Forestry Commission before doing so.

A map of active wildfires in South Carolina can be found on the forestry commission’s website.