SC lawmakers discuss bill to strengthen illegal burn consequences

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – Thousands of people have been impacted by the Table Rock and Horry County fires in South Carolina. Now, some lawmakers want to up the penalty when fires are started by people.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission said 18,000 acres are burned by wildfires each year in the state.

Four teenagers were charged in the Table Rock fire and a woman was charged in connection to the Horry County fire. In both cases, all were charged with negligently allowing fire to spread to lands of another.

“As our population grows and as we encroach in these forests, we just have more of a chance to have to fight these types of fires again and spend or, I believe, waste millions of dollars on doing something that could be prevented,” said Representative Tim McGinnis (R – Horry).

McGinnis proposed an amendment to the bill that would not only increase the penalty for illegally burning to a felony with potential jail time, but would also include that during a burn ban people could not use things like fire pits.

“I’ve compared it to, much like, you think twice before you have a few drinks and get behind the wheel of an automobile,” McGinnis said. “I want you to think twice before you burn, particularly when it’s dry and windy.”

Some lawmakers think the proposed punishment is too strict.

“Possible amendment raises up to a felony, I think, for a first offense, which, of course, you lose your second amendment rights when that happens. So, and which is very, very serious business,” Representative Jeff Johnson (R – Horry) said.

“We’ve got to, make sure we are not, penalizing landowners that, know how to properly burn property and use the right land management,” Representative Robby Robins (R – Dorchester) added.

The Committee discussing the bill agreed to pause the discussion, look over the amendment and come back to the bill at a later time.

Mcginnis said the Forestry Commision is working with the State Department of Emergency Management to create an alert system that would alert people through their cell phones when a burn ban is in place.