Current News

SC FORESTRY COMMISSION TO ISSUE STATEWIDE BURNING BAN, EFFECTIVE TUESDAY, APRIL 7

Contact:
Doug Wood, Dir. of Communications
(803) 968-1576 CELL | (803) 896-8820 OFFICE | DWood@scfc.gov

The South Carolina Forestry Commission will declare a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 7.

A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits outdoor burning anywhere outside of city/town limits in South Carolina, including:
• yard debris burns;
• forestry, wildlife or agricultural burns
(also known as prescribed, or controlled, burns); and
• campfires and other types of recreational open burning.

After consultation with officials with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, State Forester Scott Phillips ordered the statewide burning ban in the interest of public safety amid the current public health threat posed by COVID-19 virus.

Not only can smoke exacerbate the symptoms of those who have contracted the virus, but it also can trigger underlying respiratory issues in otherwise unaffected individuals, which could result in symptoms similar to those the COVID-19 virus is known to cause. “For infected individuals, breathing smoke could make coronavirus symptoms worse, increasing the risk of hospitalization or death,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Physician Consultant. “It could also cause people who have not contracted the coronavirus, but who are presenting COVID-19-like symptoms, to seek medical care at a time when medical resources are already stretched thin.”

“With known coronavirus infections increasing in all 46 counties of the state, we simply cannot continue to allow legal burning under these unprecedented circumstances,” said Phillips. “Reducing outdoor burning will also minimize the strain on local fire departments and other first responders who need to remain available for other COVID-19 response activities.”

Agency leadership acknowledges that prohibiting prescribed burning during what is traditionally the busiest time of year will be difficult for land managers in all parts of the state. “We know how beneficial the practice is for agricultural and forest management, and it is, along with our ongoing fire prevention and education efforts, the best tool we have to reduce both the number and severity of wildfires,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “But extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and the decision to enact this ban really had to be made in the current context.”

The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.

LINK TO RELEASE: http://www.state.sc.us/…/releases/stateforestersburningban0…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 3, 2020
CONTACTS: Doug Wood – (803) 968-1576 / Justin Holt – (803) 360-2231

Statewide Red Flag Fire Alert effective immediately
Outdoor burning discouraged because of weather conditions, elevated fire risk

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, effective immediately.

Weather forecasts for most of the state this weekend include stronger-than-normal wind gusts and low relative humidity, all of which combine with dry fuels on the ground to create the potential for outdoor fires escaping easily and spreading rapidly.

“These conditions present favorable conditions for wildfire ignitions, particularly the low relative humidity values, which will remain low over the weekend,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “With the otherwise nice weather this weekend, we just want people who may be working in their yards or enjoying the outdoors to be aware of the elevated potential for fire danger.”

The purpose of the alert is twofold: in addition to discouraging people from doing any outdoor burning, it also helps to reduce the strain on local fire departments and other first responders who need to remain available for COVID-19 response. The alert will remain in effect until lifted by the Commission, whose fire response teams will continuously monitor the situation throughout the weekend.

A Red Flag Fire Alert does not prohibit outdoor burning, provided that all other state and local regulations are followed, but the Forestry Commission strongly encourages citizens to voluntarily postpone any such burning until the alert is lifted. However, a Red Flag Fire Alert does trigger certain county or local ordinances that restrict outdoor fires, so residents should contact their local fire departments to check whether such restrictions apply in their areas.

Also available for comment:
Darryl Jones
SCFC Fire/Protection Chief
(803) 667-1039

Due to staffing issues and excessive amounts of curbside yard debris, crews will be unable to collect any man-made materials or bulk items at this time. They will resume as soon as possible, but a specific date is as yet unknown. Please refrain from placing anything other than yard debris and your regular roll-cart out until further notice.
Thank you.

While we are currently operating on a normal schedule within the Solid Waste Services department, we would like to encourage residents to help keep curbside pickup of yard debris and man-made materials at a minimum, as crews may need to rotate around to fill essential needs. We are closely monitoring government recommendations and will announce if/when further changes are necessary.

As a reminder, the JIPSD does not handle recycling. This is handled by Charleston County, and they will not collect excess materials outside the blue roll cart. Their convenience center at 1716 Signal Point Road is open 24/7 for routine recyclables (such as cardboard) and from 10am-6pm Tues-Sat for hazardous recyclables (electronics, tires, paint, etc.); however, please call them at (843)720-7111 before bringing anything other than routine items as their manned hours may vary.

Thank you for your attention and patience as we all work together to #flattenthecurve

For the safety of our employees and customers, our offices will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 23rd until further notice. Please do not leave cash payments in our payment drop box. We encourage customers to call Customer Service at 843.795.9060 or visit our website at www.jipsd.org to conduct business in lieu of coming into the office. Please note that we have paused disconnections at this time; however, customer bills will not be pardoned or erased. We encourage customers to continue making payments to the best of their ability.

Currently, Solid Waste services will continue to operate on a normal schedule. All JIPSD fire station locations will continue to be closed to the public. In the event of an emergency, please call 911. For wastewater emergencies, call 843.795.2345. The JIPSD is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 to ensure the safety of our employees and customers.