Lexington, S.C. –The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, including Lexington County, effective immediately. A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning and campfires in all unincorporated areas of the state.

The State Forestry Commission says very low relative humidities statewide, coupled with drying fuels resulting from the lack of significant rain, have resulted in 102 wildfire ignitions today across the state. They say much-higher-than-forecasted winds have led to these fires spreading rapidly and growing larger. Officials say while a majority of the current wildfire activity is concentrated in the Pee Dee region, the rest of the state is experiencing a dramatic up-tick in wildfires today, straining the capacity of agency firefighters to respond.

The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.