Georgetown County implements outdoor burn ban due to increased wildfire risk

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Outdoor burning in Georgetown County is temporarily prohibited.

The county implemented a local ban on outdoor burning, effectively immediately, due to an elevated risk for wildfires over the next several days.

“Elevated fire weather conditions will be present over the next several days and the threat of wildfires will be high due to conditions. The ban will remain in place until further notice,” said Georgetown County officials.

The ban comes as the South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, discouraging people from burning outdoors. State forestry officials say the combination of gusty winds, low humidity, and dryness will increase the chance of wildfires.

Firefighters responded to 280 wildfires in February and more than 270 wildfires so far in March.

Georgetown County fire crews responded to multiple wildfires earlier this month, one of which prompted evacuations in the county’s Prince George community.