Burton Firefighters Battle Four Illegal Fires During Statewide Burn Ban

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The Burton Fire District in South Carolina responded to four illegal or trash fires during the state's recent burn ban, with one fire spreading into a large grass blaze that required significant resources to extinguish. Fire officials are reminding residents to follow state and local outdoor burning regulations, especially during dry conditions when fire risk is elevated.

Why it matters

Illegal burning during burn bans can pose serious public safety risks, as demonstrated by the grass fire that grew out of control. Proper notification and monitoring of any outdoor fires is critical to prevent wildfires and property damage, especially in fire-prone areas like Beaufort County.

The details

According to Burton Fire District Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Byrne, the department responded to four illegal or trash fires over the past week, including during the state's Red Flag and burn ban conditions. One of the fires spread into a large grass fire that required two fire engines and over 1,000 gallons of water to put out. Byrne stressed that state law requires residents in unincorporated areas to notify the South Carolina Forestry Commission before burning yard debris, and that all outdoor fires must be continuously monitored with a water source nearby.

• The Burton Fire District responded to the four illegal fires this past week.
• The incidents occurred during South Carolina's recent Red Flag and burn ban conditions.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Burton Fire District will continue to monitor the situation and enforce outdoor burning regulations in the area.