South Carolina Forestry Commission
Emergency Fire Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2009   12:30pm

(Columbia, SC)  The ban on outdoor burning has been 
cancelled for all South Carolina counties.  Forestry 
Commission authorities explained that as resources are 
released from the fire near Myrtle Beach the agency's 
ability to respond to wildfires across the state will 
return to a pre-incident level.

Officials warned, however, that citizens need to remain 
vigilant for wildfires, since forest fuels are dry and 
wildfire danger is relatively high.  

State Forester Gene Kodama declared the ban Thursday 
morning in response to the strain on the Commission's 
resources caused by the Horry County wildfire.  While 
in effect, the ban prohibited outdoor burning in all 
unincorporated areas of South Carolina.

During the four-day ban, Forestry Commission firefighters 
responded to 56 wildfires which burned 1,148 acres, including 
a fire that burned more than 1,000 acres on Sandy Island in 
Georgetown County.  

Even with the lifting of the burning ban, citizens are 
reminded that outdoor burning is still regulated by state 
law.  The law requires anyone planning to burn outdoors 
to first notify the Forestry Commission, then conduct the 
burning according to prescribed safety regulations.


-END-

For more information, contact:  
Russell Hubright, 803-667-1052.



Hwy 31 Fire Fact Sheet
4/28/09  9:15am


The fire is 100 percent contained.

Weather generally has cooperated, but fog idled most 
overnight SCFC personnel.

Work is focused in the areas of Long Bay and Water 
Tower roads today.  Divisions C and D are particularly hot.

SCFC has begun to demobilize crews.  Several will remain 
for mop-up and fire line reinforcement as necessary.

Aerial drops have ceased.  Reconnaissance flights by 
fixed-wing aircraft will continue to be a daily part of 
operations.

Mop-up continues in all areas of the fire.  This process 
is expected to continue for several weeks and involves 
heavy equipment operated by men and women whose visibility 
could be limited by their working environment.  These 
firefighters should be given a wide berth.

The burned area will continue to produce heat, smoke and 
flare-ups for some time to come.  Smoke and hotspots in 
burned out areas could be an issue until autumn if 
rainfall this summer is scarce.  Stump holes, smoldering 
soil, and snags (dead trees which are still standing) 
should be considered extremely dangerous to anyone on 
foot or operating motor vehicles of any kind.

Smoke on roads will persist prompting road closures as 
needed.  Unnecessary travel should be avoided at night 
and early morning hours.  Heavy equipment will be in 
operation, avoid excessive speeds at all times in all 
areas where the fire has burned. 

Re-burns are possible among fuels which weren't entirely 
burned the first time the fire moved through.  For example, 
if a dead tree casts its needles over peat which is still 
smoldering, a re-burn is possible.

Controlled vs. Contained:  The fire is 100% contained, 
but will not be labeled "controlled" until there is no 
longer any heat produced anywhere inside the line.

-END-

For more information, contact:  
Scott Hawkins, Public Information Dir.
SC Forestry Commission
(803) 360-2231

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