Drought, Fires Prompting Burn Bans in Southeast

UNDATED (AP) – As drought dries up forests across the South with no sign of rainfall to help quench dozens of major wildfires, the Tennessee Valley Authority is banning burning on its public lands in seven states.

That means no campfires, not even cigarette smoking, and cars can’t park off-road where a hot tailpipe could light up dry grass or leaves.

There is a burn ban in South Carolina for portions of the Midlands and the Upstate.