Open Burning | South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

What is open burning?

Open burning is the burning of materials outdoors in a firepit or burn barrel releasing smoke and other emissions directly into the air. Examples of open burning include:

Campfires
Bonfires
Fire pits
Burning leaves, trash, or other yard waste

Is it Legal?

The legality of open burning depends on where and what you burn.

Inside City/Town Limits: Some towns have banned outdoor burning altogether, and others have enacted local ordinances that limit outdoor burning. If you live within city limits, always check with your local government before you burn anything outdoors.
Outside City/Town Limits: The S.C. Forestry Commission regulates certain types of outdoor burning. If you live outside city limits, you must notify the S.C. Forestry Commission before you burn anything outdoors.
Commercial and Residential Builders: It is against the law to burn any waste from commercial construction sites. As for single-family residential builders, it is illegal to burn any materials outdoors April 1 - October 30 (ozone season). The rest of the year (November 1 - March 30) laws governing open burning by single family residential construction sites include a number of restrictions. If you're building a single-family residence, consult South Carolina's Open Burning Regulation (61-62.2, Prohibition of Open Burning).

What can I burn (if allowed by local ordinance) or NOT burn outdoors in South Carolina?

Legal to Burn • Yard Trimmings • Barbecues • Outdoor Fireplaces (using only untreated wood) • Campfires (using only untreated wood) • Bonfires If burning, remember to always: • Actively watch the fire; • Have water or other fire extinguishing measures readily available; • Comply with county and local ordinances; and • Notify S.C. Forestry Commission of any outdoor burning Illegal to Burn Recycle these items when possible. Otherwise, properly dispose. For information on recycling or proper disposal, call 1-800-768-7348 or visit des.sc.gov/recycleheresc. SPARE THE AIR SOUTH CAROLINA! SO SPARE YOUR • Paper and cardboard • Roofing materials • Heating oil • Tires and rubber products • Household cleaners • Farm chemicals • Plastics • Paint

NOTE: Using burn barrels to burn garbage also is illegal.

Frequently Asked Questions

It releases unfiltered and untreated toxic pollutants and particles directly into the air at ground level, it can also contaminate the soil and groundwater;
It produces ash that can contain toxic metals such as mercury, lead, chromium and arsenic. People sometimes scatter the ash or bury it in their backyard garden. There, vegetables absorb and accumulate the toxic metals and children playing in the yard can ingest the contaminated soil;
It frequently causes brush, residential and forest fires particularly during drought.

Open burning can be harmful to your health and others around you, your home, and the environment. Smoke from open burning contains toxic gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases.

These gases can affect the respiratory system, increase asthma attacks,

cause eye and throat irritation, induce coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and headaches.

Recycle as much as possible and compost yard debris and use the chippings as mulch. Dispose of the remainder of your solid waste at a permitted landfill.

Download the Recycle Here app on your iPhone or Android.

Please report illegal open burning of items such as tires, plastic, copper wire, and asbestos covered materials to the appropriate SCDES Local Office as soon as possible. (Obviously, if a fire of any nature gets out of control, call 911 first.)
You can also report illegal open burning of land clearing or yard debris, but most of the time these situations do not constitute an immediate threat, so you can report the incident to SCDES the next business day.