Forestry Commission issues burning ban for Pee Dee

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Forestry Commission has issued an outdoor burning ban for unincorporated areas of 14 counties in the Pee Dee region.

The commission says the remainder of the state is under a Red Flag fire alert.

State Forester Gene Kodama said Wednesday that the ban is designed to reduce new fire starts statewide, and are the direct result of increased fire activity in the coastal plain, stretched resources, aging firefighting equipment and instances of firefighter fatigue and injury.

In June, the commission’s Pee Dee operating region battled 118 fires covering 734 acres. Since July 1, firefighters in the Pee Dee have suppressed more than 60 fires.

Across South Carolina, the commission has brought 320 fires under control. Those fires covered 2,478 acres.