Portions of South Carolina have been and continue to be impacted by wildfires due to windy conditions and low relative humidity. The Clemson University Fire & EMS Department (CUFD) reminds members of the Clemson community to “think before you burn” and do your part to help prevent wildfires.
Forest fire danger is usually highest in late winter and early spring (January through mid-April). March is often the busiest month for firefighters, but some of the largest fires have occurred during the first two weeks of April.
South Carolina’s fire season takes place in the winter because most vegetation is dead or dormant during that time. Fires do not start or spread as quickly when vegetation is green.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) asks you to think before you BURN:
- Be prepared
- Understand the laws about burning
- Respect the weather
- Never leave your fire
To accomplish this, SCFC encourages everyone to adhere to the following set of rules anytime they burn:
- Check the weather before you burn
- Avoid burning on days with high wind speeds and gusts and/or on days with lower-than-usual relative humidities (ie. <30%)
- Clear a firebreak around the material being burned that is relative to the size of the fire (at least half of the width of the burn pile itself).
- Firebreaks should be constructed by removing all vegetation and exposing the bare ground or mineral soil.
- Have proper and sufficient tools and water on hand to prevent the fire from spreading if it does happen to escape the firebreak.
- Stay with the fire at all times. Never leave the burn site for any amount of time or for any reason.
- Extinguish the fire completely, drowning it with water until the burned material and ashes are cool to the touch.
- Notify the Forestry Commission before you begin your burn. This rule applies only in unincorporated areas of the state (outside of city/town limits), and burners must make notification every unique day they burn.
- Check your local regulations on burning. A permit may be required.
- In the city of Clemson, open burning of leaves, yard debris, grasses, vegetation or rubbish is prohibited within the city limits.
For more information on burning and preventing wildfires in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Forestry Commission website. For more tips on preventing wildfires, including campfire safety and debris burning, visit SmokeyBear.com.