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Columbia, S.C. – This winter and early spring, state and federal fire crews plan to carry out controlled burns at several South Carolina State Parks. 

Regularly performing controlled burns reduces hazardous forest fuels that cause wildfires and improves habitat conditions for wildlife and recreation. Controlled burns are planned at the following State Parks in the coming months:

• Aiken State Park in Aiken County
• Barnwell State Park in Barnwell County
• Cheraw State Park in Chesterfield County
• Devils Fork State Park in Oconee County
• Hampton Plantation State Historic Site in Charleston County
• Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Pickens County
• Kings Mountain State Park in York County
• Oconee State Park in Oconee County
• Rose Hill State Historic Site in Union County
• Table Rock State Park in Pickens County

All controlled burns are scheduled based on weather conditions, making it difficult to provide early advance notice to the public. We will do our best to notify the public of any disruption to park visitor experience. Current burning notifications are posted on the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s website. Immediate advance notice is provided to local fire and law enforcement officials.

Trails and roads in and around the parks may be temporarily closed during burns. Any closures will be clearly posted.

Safety is our primary concern during any controlled burn. The fire experts assigned to these burns are highly trained and have years of experience protecting communities, themselves and the land they are working to restore. Experienced fire specialists closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind, temperature, and humidity. They adjust the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of local residents and crewmembers.

Prior to lighting the burn, crews construct firebreaks to ensure the fire does not leave the burn area. The burns mimic historic natural fires as much as possible.

Immediately after a controlled burn, the area may temporarily look raw and desolate. New shoots start to green up the forest floor within as little as a few days or weeks.

To learn more about controlled burning throughout South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s website. Learn more about South Carolina State Parks at southcarolinaparks.com.

For more information, contact Sam Queen at sam@scprt.com or 803-767-3568.

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