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JIPSD suffered a devastating loss early this morning. Thankfully, no one was injured; however, due to an electrical shortage in an old dump truck 4 trucks were completely destroyed and another damaged. Garbage and yard debris collection will continue as usual, but due to the sudden loss of equipment crews will be unable to collect man-made materials or bulk items today. This suspension may have to continue until we can get loaners and/or emergency purchase trucks delivered. If you have man-made materials and/or bulk items to dispose of, you can bring it for FREE to the Bees Ferry Landfill.

Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in our area we will be unable to open our lobby on July 1st as anticipated. We apologize for this inconvenience and look forward to seeing you in the very near future. Please stay tuned and we will update as the month progresses. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all navigate this.

In observance of Memorial Day, JIPSD offices will be closed on Monday, May 25. All garbage and debris collection will be delayed by one day. Please see below for a detailed schedule.  Please take a moment to honor the fallen and remember the sacrifice made by our military service members, first responders, and their families.

 

 

 

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SC FORESTRY COMMISSION TO ISSUE STATEWIDE BURNING BAN, EFFECTIVE TUESDAY, APRIL 7

Contact:
Doug Wood, Dir. of Communications
(803) 968-1576 CELL | (803) 896-8820 OFFICE | DWood@scfc.gov

The South Carolina Forestry Commission will declare a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 7.

A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits outdoor burning anywhere outside of city/town limits in South Carolina, including:
• yard debris burns;
• forestry, wildlife or agricultural burns
(also known as prescribed, or controlled, burns); and
• campfires and other types of recreational open burning.

After consultation with officials with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, State Forester Scott Phillips ordered the statewide burning ban in the interest of public safety amid the current public health threat posed by COVID-19 virus.

Not only can smoke exacerbate the symptoms of those who have contracted the virus, but it also can trigger underlying respiratory issues in otherwise unaffected individuals, which could result in symptoms similar to those the COVID-19 virus is known to cause. “For infected individuals, breathing smoke could make coronavirus symptoms worse, increasing the risk of hospitalization or death,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Physician Consultant. “It could also cause people who have not contracted the coronavirus, but who are presenting COVID-19-like symptoms, to seek medical care at a time when medical resources are already stretched thin.”

“With known coronavirus infections increasing in all 46 counties of the state, we simply cannot continue to allow legal burning under these unprecedented circumstances,” said Phillips. “Reducing outdoor burning will also minimize the strain on local fire departments and other first responders who need to remain available for other COVID-19 response activities.”

Agency leadership acknowledges that prohibiting prescribed burning during what is traditionally the busiest time of year will be difficult for land managers in all parts of the state. “We know how beneficial the practice is for agricultural and forest management, and it is, along with our ongoing fire prevention and education efforts, the best tool we have to reduce both the number and severity of wildfires,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “But extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and the decision to enact this ban really had to be made in the current context.”

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

LINK TO RELEASE: http://www.state.sc.us/…/releases/stateforestersburningban0…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 3, 2020
CONTACTS: Doug Wood – (803) 968-1576 / Justin Holt – (803) 360-2231

Statewide Red Flag Fire Alert effective immediately
Outdoor burning discouraged because of weather conditions, elevated fire risk

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, effective immediately.

Weather forecasts for most of the state this weekend include stronger-than-normal wind gusts and low relative humidity, all of which combine with dry fuels on the ground to create the potential for outdoor fires escaping easily and spreading rapidly.

“These conditions present favorable conditions for wildfire ignitions, particularly the low relative humidity values, which will remain low over the weekend,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “With the otherwise nice weather this weekend, we just want people who may be working in their yards or enjoying the outdoors to be aware of the elevated potential for fire danger.”

The purpose of the alert is twofold: in addition to discouraging people from doing any outdoor burning, it also helps to reduce the strain on local fire departments and other first responders who need to remain available for COVID-19 response. The alert will remain in effect until lifted by the Commission, whose fire response teams will continuously monitor the situation throughout the weekend.

A Red Flag Fire Alert does not prohibit outdoor burning, provided that all other state and local regulations are followed, but the Forestry Commission strongly encourages citizens to voluntarily postpone any such burning until the alert is lifted. However, a Red Flag Fire Alert does trigger certain county or local ordinances that restrict outdoor fires, so residents should contact their local fire departments to check whether such restrictions apply in their areas.

Also available for comment:
Darryl Jones
SCFC Fire/Protection Chief
(803) 667-1039