Burton Fire District responds to multiple fires despite statewide burn ban

BURTON, Sc. (WTOC) - Despite a statewide outdoor burning ban in South Carolina, illegal outdoor burning continues to cause problems for the Burton Fire District.

Fire officials say since the ban took effect April 17, crews have responded to five outdoor fires, including two that spread and one that damaged property.

Officials say on April 17, firefighters spotted and extinguished a trash fire spreading into a tree line along Joe Frazier Road. On April 19, crews responded to an illegal burn that spread and damaged a neighbor’s fence.

Fire officials also pointed to a fire just before the burn ban on April 14, when an outdoor burn spread to five vehicles and threatened a nearby structure. The South Carolina Forestry Commission assisted crews at that scene.

The district says outdoor burning remains a recurring issue. In 2025, Burton firefighters responded to 168 outdoor fires, with 79% tied to trash fires or other burns in violation of county ordinance. So far this year, crews have responded to 22 illegal outdoor fires.

Fire officials are urging residents to follow the burn ban and share safety information from the South Carolina Forestry Commission and local fire departments.