Josh,

We hope you are doing well.

As you know, South Carolina’s forest and agricultural lands cover most of the state and support a vital segment of our economy.   Land managers must have access to the most economical and effective tools available for these lands to be productive.

Historically, the forests in our state evolved in conjunction with fire, which would occur naturally every few years as a result of lightning or from native American’s traditional burning. These fires would normally burn for long periods at low intensity, preventing the buildup of hazardous fuel accumulations.   Wildlife, including quail, turkey, deer, and many endangered species thrive in areas that are burned regularly with low intensity fires.

In contrast, wildfires occur year-round in our state, and cause significant losses to homes, forests, and wildlife habitat and create highway hazards.  Therefore, some portion of our forests will burn annually, some with great intensity.  Low intensity prescribed fires are used by responsible land managers to reduce wildfire risks and damage.  These managers apply fire to forests and fields in a prescribed fashion by choosing the day and timing of the burn so that the risk of the fire escaping is low, impacts on air quality are minimized, and the most benefit is gained from the controlled fire.

Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health, and reduce wildfire risk. In South Carolina, approximately 500,000 acres are burned annually.  We have estimated that nearly a million acres should be burned annually to reduce wildfire risk, maintain wildlife habitats, and facilitate forest and agricultural plantings.

In 2003, the Forestry Commission worked with the SC Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service, and many other agencies and conservation organizations to form the South Carolina Prescribed Fire Council. This group advocates for the responsible use of prescribed fire, and represents all of the land management agencies in the state, owners of private forest and agricultural land, land trusts, forest industry, SC DHEC, and many other groups with an interest in responsible land management. On behalf of the SC Prescribed Fire Council, we request that Governor Haley sign a proclamation to designate March as Prescribed Fire Awareness Month.

This proclamation, will be used to help South Carolina land managers inform the public about the benefits of prescribed fire, and help citizens understand and support the use of this critical tool for maintaining and protecting healthy forests, forestry jobs, and the public across the entire state.

A draft proclamation and a growing list of current supporters is attached.   We apologize for the short timing on this, but I am sure you understand the current intensity of activities.

Thank you,

Gene

Henry E. (Gene) Kodama

SC State Forester

Email:     kodama@scfc.gov

Office:    (803) 896-8801

Mobile:   (803) 360-5591

www.trees.sc.gov