COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCIV) -- The South Carolina Forestry Commission on Friday night issued a red flag alert for the entire state, citing gusty winds and low relative humidity as the reason.
The combination of winds gusting at 30 mph and the low humidity could help start and spread wildfires.
A Red Flag Fire Weather Alert does not outlaw burning debris in unincorporated jurisdictions of the state, the SCFC said, but it does strongly advise waiting until a safer time to burn. Nearly half of all wildfires in the state begin as escaped debris burns, the SCFC said.
Some local codes do ban burning during red flag warnings, though.
The Forestry Commission issues red flags when weather conditions support the spread of fire, outdoor activities are expected to rise -- like the warm weekend forecasted for the Lowcountry -- and allocation of agency resources is strained.
"This week, Williamsburg County suffered a nearly 400-acre wildfire which required the use of seven SCFC tractor plow fire suppression units. SCFC's capacity to respond to wildfire is sorely tested when these weather conditions persists on a statewide level," the agency said.
This alert remains in effect until lifted by the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
