Aiken Outdoor Burning Ban Partially Lifted While Some Counties Remain on Alert

Aiken Outdoor Burning Ban Partially Lifted While Some Counties Remain on Alert

Hello there, Aiken community and surrounding areas! We’ve got an important update regarding the **_outdoor burning ban_** situation. If you’ve been wondering whether you can resume some of the outdoor activities involving fires, here’s the scoop.

What’s Happening in Edgefield, Laurens, and McCormick?

Starting at 5 p.m. this Friday, the ban on outdoor burning will be lifted in Edgefield, Laurens, and McCormick counties. That’s right, folks in those areas will be able to carefully manage their outdoor burns once again. It’s been a while, and I bet some of you have been eagerly waiting to tidy up the yard or maybe even enjoy a little campfire night. Do so safely!

Other Counties, Hang Tight

For those of us in Aiken, Greenville, Greenwood, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties (among others), it’s a different story. The **_burning ban_** remains effective until further notice. The idea behind the ban isn’t about preventing wildfires this time around; it’s more about lightening the load on our dedicated first responders who are actively working on the response to Hurricane Helene. They’ve got plenty on their plates, and minimizing unnecessary calls can indeed be a big help.

What Can You Safely Burn?

If you’re in an area where the ban has been lifted, it might be tempting to burn everything in sight to clear up after all these restrictions, but hold on a minute! The ban covers burning yard debris and includes all kinds of fires like those for **_forestry_**, **_wildlife_**, **_agricultural purposes_**, and also the more recreational kinds such as **_campfires_** and **_bonfires_**. Anything that falls outside city limits is affected. However, you can still fire up the grill or use certain safe setups for your outdoor cooking needs.

Exceptions for Food Preparation

Good news for the grill masters and barbecue enthusiasts out there! Fires used for food preparation or contained in enclosed environments like portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, or permanent fire pits are still okay. These must be constructed with noncombustible materials like stone, masonry, or metal to make sure they conform to South Carolina’s safety codes. If your fire setup is within these guidelines, you’re good to go. Invite your friends and enjoy a cookout, keeping these rules in mind!

Stay Updated, Stay Safe

Remember, as much as the smell of a good campfire on a chilly evening might make you wish for the ban to be lifted sooner rather than later, it’s crucial for everyone’s safety to adhere to these guidelines. Our first responders are busy tackling other emergencies, and giving them a breather is the least we can do. So, let’s be considerate and check when it’s okay to proceed with outdoor burns if you’re in the still-restricted areas. Keep an ear out for updates, because this isn’t a forever situation.

Until the ban is entirely lifted across all counties, stay safe, and perhaps focus on clean-burning alternatives for any urgent outdoor needs. Should conditions change, we’ll be sure to get the word out. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we all navigate these times together!