From staff reports
Since January 1 of this year, the Burton Fire District has responded to 14 fires involving brush or trash; six of those fires spread with two damaging or threatening structures.
In comparison, during the same time period last year, Burton firefighters responded to only four fires involving brush or trash with two of those fires spreading, however no structures were threatened or damaged.
Burton fire officials state that they are not sure why there has been such an increase in the number of these fires, but what is concerning is how quickly some have spread, and how some have endangered or damaged nearby homes.
“Most of these brush fires were caused by yard debris or trash fires that got away from the resident or were unattended; even two of the fires spread from fires that were inside burn barrels,” Burton Fire District Fire Investigator Steve Kenyon said. “People need to realize how quickly these fires spread and get out of hand, even if they believe the fire is contained by bricks or in a barrel.
“These fires need to be constantly attended by an adult with a continuous water supply nearby, and that they are fully extinguished by thoroughly soaking the ashes and surrounding area.”
Burton fire officials also remind citizens that not only is burning trash in violation of Beaufort County and DHEC ordinance and policies, they can contain carcinogens and are extremely toxic and dangerous to the community.
“It is important that the citizens in the unincorporated areas of Beaufort County be very familiar with the county’s outdoor burning ordinance,” Kenyon said.
