Make sure to know the laws before you burn outside during grass fire season

CLARENDON COUNTY - It's the beginning of grass fire season in Clarendon.

Make sure that you notify the South Carolina Forestry Commission before you burn.

State law requires residents to notify the Forestry Commission before burning outdoors in the unincorporated areas of the county.

When burning outdoors, you must:

- limit fire to vegetative material such as leaves, limbs and branches;

- clear a firebreak around the burning site;

- have the right equipment available to keep the fire under control; and

- stay with your fire until it is completely out.

Clarendon County residents must notify the SCFC for three types of fires:

- residential yard debris, call (800) 986-3597;

- forestry, wildlife and agricultural burns, also known as prescribed or controlled burns, call (800) 777-3473; and

- construction related/land clearing burns, call (800) 986-3597.

All construction-related/land-clearing burns must comply with the Department of Health and Environmental Control's Regulation 61-62.2. You should make sure you understand the requirements before calling for notification. The SCFC dispatchers are not authorized to interpret this regulation. If an explanation of this regulation is needed, call the nearest DHEC office.

Stay safe and remember to burn responsibly.