Burn Bans

LawLert has been unable to re-read the South Carolina Forestry Commission's burning-ban page since September 19, 2026 (the site blocks LawLert's automated reader), so what follows is the last status LawLert could confirm — check scfc.gov's Bans & Alerts page or your local SCFC office before you burn. No State Forester's or Governor's Burning Ban is in effect (the most recent, a statewide State Forester's Burning Ban effective 7 a.m. April 17, 2026, was lifted for all remaining counties effective 7 a.m. May 1, 2026; no ban or Red Flag Fire Alert has been announced since in SCFC news releases read September 19, 2026). When declared, a State Forester's Ban bars starting any fire in or adjacent to woodlands, brushlands, grasslands, ditchbanks or hedgerows — including campfires and recreational fires since 2017; fires for warmth or food and fires in code-compliant enclosed fireplaces, chimineas or noncombustible fire pits are exempt (§48-35-55), and bans don't apply inside city limits. Violations: up to $200 first offense, at least $500 after. State law requires notifying the SC Forestry Commission before burning yard debris; Red Flag Fire Alerts are advisory only.