From staff reports
The Burton Fire District responded to two brush fires and an illegal yard debris fire on Tuesday, March 31. Two of the fires were endangering homes and one threatened a boat.
At 2:35 p.m., Burton firefighters responded to a reported brush fire on Falling Leaf Lane that was endangering a home. Firefighters arrived and extinguished a small brush fire that was within feet of a residence.
The resident said he had been cleaning his yard and was burning leaves, and said “It just got away from me.”
Firefighters extinguished the fire without injury or damages.
At 2:36 p.m., Burton firefighters responded to a reported brush fire on Pine Grove Road. Firefighters arrived on scene to a small brush fire that had been endangering a boat. Firefighters extinguished the fire without injury or damages.
While returning from the brush fire on Falling Leaf Lane, fire crews came across a resident on Murray Drive, who was burning yard debris in violation of Beaufort County Ordinance, and was burning the debris in-between two homes. Firefighters had the resident extinguish the fire.
In just more than two weeks since Governor Henry McMaster announced the first round of closures due to COVID-19 on March 15, the Burton Fire District has responded to more than 11 brush/trash fires, and 11 fires burning yard debris.
Burton fire officials state that while brush fires normally increase this time of year with the seasonal change of weather, they fear with more people staying home due to COVID-19, that these numbers will continue to rise.
“We are glad our citizens are staying close home due to COVID-19, and are staying active by cleaning their yards,” Burton Fire Captain Bobby Davidson said, “we just want them to do it safely.”
