COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is lifting the Red Flag Fire Alert for 25 counties, effective at 6 a.m., Thursday, April 9.
The counties for which the alert is being discontinued are Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg (see map).
Agency officials say the weather factors that prompted the Wednesday alert, primarily the low relative humidity and gusty winds, are expected to moderate in some areas, but will still be present at near critical levels in the western part of the state.
Although the lack of significant rainfall across most of the state is keeping fuels dry, the current overall conditions in the state’s eastern counties are less volatile. Even without high winds, the dry weather and intensifying drought conditions are expected to remain at least through April.
Although the Red Flag Fire Alert has been lifted, the Forestry Commission still urges vigilance when burning outdoors. State law requires anyone planning to burn outdoors (outside of city limits) to notify the Forestry Commission in advance and take the proper precautions. Those include clearing a firebreak around the burn area, having water and/or tools on standby to keep the fire contained and never leaving a fire unattended.
The Red Flag Fire Alert will remain in effect for all other counties until further notice.
SCFC To Lift Red Flag Fire Alert for 25 Counties Thursday
