BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – A statewide burning ban issued Friday is now in effect across South Carolina, including Berkeley County, as officials warn of heightened wildfire danger this weekend.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission enacted the State Forester’s Burning Ban at 4 p.m. Friday, prohibiting most outdoor burning in unincorporated areas. That includes yard debris burning, campfires, bonfires and prescribed burns.
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Officials say a combination of dry weather, low humidity and gusty winds has created conditions where fires can ignite easily and spread quickly — raising concerns for communities across the Lowcountry.
The ban does not apply to cooking fires or flames contained within proper enclosures, such as grills, chimineas or permanent fire pits built with noncombustible materials that meet state fire codes.
Forestry officials warn that relative humidity levels are expected to dip below 20% in some areas, while ongoing drought conditions continue to dry out vegetation statewide. Together, those factors significantly increase the risk of fast-moving wildfires.
“In addition to the intensifying drought conditions, the weather we’re going to see statewide over the next several days makes it ripe for any fire that starts to burn intensely and move fast,” said Fire Chief Darryl Jones.
Jones also noted that some areas face elevated risk due to leftover debris from recent storms, including Hurricane Helene and winter ice damage, which have added to the amount of burnable material on the ground.
For Berkeley County residents — particularly those in rural or wooded areas — the ban means postponing any outdoor burning until conditions improve.
The Forestry Commission says the ban will remain in place until further notice, with updates to be announced once it is lifted.
