Burning ban lifted in SC while coronavirus cases continue to rise
The statewide burning ban in South Carolina is over after two weeks.
The ban was put in place on April 7 to help COVID-19 patients and reduce the stress put on first responders during the coronavirus pandemic, South Carolina Forestry Commission officials said in a news release.
But new data showed there was not as dire of a need to prohibit the fires and smoke, according to the release.
As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the ban for all unincorporated areas in South Carolina has been lifted.
“In consultation with officials from the (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control), whose recent COVID-19 projections indicate cautious optimism about the virus’ reduced spread and impact over the last two weeks, we believe now is the time to allow outdoor burning to resume with additional precautions,” State Forester Scott Phillips said in the release.
Campfire/firepit burns, residential yard debris burns, and prescribed burns are allowed to resume as normal, officials said.
That does not apply to the South Carolina cities and towns that have bans within their own limits, as they will still be in place, according to the release.
One of the purposes behind the ban was to reduce the affect smoke could have on people with COVID-19. Smoke can exacerbate the symptoms of coronavirus patients.
There was also concern that smoke could cause people without the virus to suffer symptoms similar to COVID-19, and seek medical care when those resources are stretched thin.
“The proactive measures taken in our state during the critical acceleration phase of the spread of the virus has helped limit the exposure of individuals to COVID-19 and ultimately reduced the strain on first responders and the need for care in our healthcare system,” DHEC physician Dr. Brannon Traxler said in the release. “The decision to lift the ban is based on the current data and will be re-evaluated if cases begin to increase again.”
Cases of the coronavirus in South Carolina will continue rising into early May, State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said Monday.
“At this point, we don’t have good trend data to say we’re having a consistent decline,” Bell said.
But there is information to indicate positive effects of the burning ban, according to Forestry Commission Fire Chief Darryl Jones. He said the two-week ban reduced the strain on local fire service and EMS personnel.
“The ban was very effective at reducing unnecessary fire calls and smoke-related complaints that could have very easily overwhelmed not just healthcare workers, but also first responders and other emergency workers,” Jones said in the release. “And with the special requirements from DHEC and all the recent rain we’ve received, it allows the ban to be lifted safely and in a way that also lets people get back to some sense of normalcy.”
Jones asked S.C. residents to hold off on burning while their piles are wet, from the recent storms that have rolled across the state the past two weeks. Dry debris will burn hotter and produce less smoke, according to Jones.
Burning debris from those storms is subject to special DHEC requirements.
On Monday, 64 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 4,439 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced that four people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to 124. State health officials described 106 of the people as elderly, 18 patients were middle-aged, and all but 17 are confirmed to have had underlying medical conditions.
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. Among the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 is trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and blueish lips or face, the CDC said.
As of Tuesday morning, 2,492,963 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 171,152 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 787,960 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 42,364 deaths have been reported, including 14,604 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
DHEC requirements on burning storm debris
▪ Storm debris burn piles should only contain yard debris, including leaves, limbs, tree branches, small logs, and clean wood. Chipping and grinding of yard debris is strongly encouraged.
▪ Burn piles shall not contain household trash, tires, plastics, paints, roofing materials, chemicals, oils, insulation, duct work or electrical wire. Local solid waste collection and recycling centers should be used, where available, to dispose of these items.
▪ Burn piles should be at least 100 feet from the property line or other structures. Never leave your burn site and have water available to put out the fire.
▪ The initial burn must be started between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; no combustible material should be added to the fire between 3 p.m. of one day and 9 a.m. the following day.
▪ To minimize smoke from the burn pile, the amount of dirt on the material should be limited, and the prevailing winds must be away from public roadways and residential areas.
▪ Consult your homeowner restrictions and local or county ordinances before you burn.
SOURCE: South Carolina Forestry Commission
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 7:56 AM.
