Native Americans often used fire for creating habitat for game and opening up the woods, and lightning was setting fires long before their time and even today so that fire in the woods is a completely natural phenomenon. These fires created forest landscapes and ecosystems that are dependent on fire for their existence. For example, natural Longleaf Pine forest ecosystems are heavily dependent on periodic fires to exist and maintain themselves. Fire is a natural and critical part of the environment and has been that way since long before mankind came along to influence its occurrence. However, unlike the wild, unplanned conflagrations that can result from wildfires, modern science now allows us to safely apply fire in a controlled and positive manner. Though fire is often misunderstood, today’s forestry professionals know how to combine the right weather and forest fuel conditions with proper burning techniques to ensure the flames and their movement are controlled and capture the positive attributes of fire in the woods without the negative consequences of an uncontrolled wildfire.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission offers controlled burning and plowing firelines in preparation for burning as part of its many services to landowners. Highly qualified Commission foresters bring the proper tools, equipment, and knowledge to produce high quality results. Most of them have already fought on the frontlines of many wildfires and therefore understand fire and its potential impacts. This perspective makes these men and women an ideal choice for conducting controlled burns on our forest and farm lands. They each have a personal mission to improve our forest’s productivity and reduce the risk of wildfire. Commission contact information can be found at www.trees.sc.gov or in just about any local telephone book.
Controlled burning is so ingrained in and important to our culture and history that it is even provided for in the SC Code of Laws. Title 48 -34 is the South Carolina Prescribed Fire Act. This chapter illustrates the importance of prescribed fire and lays out the laws for its proper application. Among other things, Title 48-34 requires the preparation and use of a written fire plan, defines training requirements for becoming a Certified Prescribed Fire manager, provides that such fire is in the public interest and not a nuisance when conducted properly, and that prescribed fires are a property right.
The wildfire which tore through Horry County in April of this year damaged or destroyed about 200 homes and produced around $50 million in damage. This fire was a painful reminder of the clear difference between good fire from controlled burning and bad fire from a wildfire and how nature can be aggressive and remorseless when left alone. The fire was also a reminder that (1) High forest fuel loads in close proximity to homes can be a deadly mix, (2) controlled burning can substantially reduce fuel loading and potential for wildfire damage, and (3) Adequate fire control staffing and proper equipment must be readily available to prevent catastrophic results.
Obviously, controlled burning is an extremely valuable tool that must be retained and used if we are to protect our forest resources including timber, wildlife, recreation, and natural beauty as well as protect the many people and homes that now exist inside our forests. Yes, we have the knowledge to use this proven tool at our disposal. To ignore this opportunity and the known difference between good fire and bad fire would be detrimental to our forests and increase the danger to lives and property from wildfires which will occur in the future.
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