<b>From staff reports</b>

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.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The resident said he had been cleaning his yard and was burning leaves, and said “It just got away from me.”<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

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.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

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.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

“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.”