COLUMBIA, SC - South Carolina Forestry Commission personnel have observed a number of wildfires originating during seasonal wheat field burn-offs. SCFC recognizes the importance of this practice and the benefits it provides as a land management tool. Current drought conditions however can turn a normally benign agricultural burn into a powerful wildfire with just a slight shift in the wind and/or inadequate burn site preparations. Here are a few tips from SCFC foresters for keeping wheat field burns under control:

• Notify SCFC of your planned burn. Each county has its own 1-800 number to call for making this notification which is required by state law.
• Meet SCFC Smoke Management Guidelines. They can be found at www.trees.sc.gov
• Prior to burning, create a firebreak around the wheat field with a strip at least 8 to 12 feet wide and disked multiple times to ensure mineral soil is completely exposed.
• The SCFC recommends to burn mid to late morning when winds generally are lower and relative humilities are higher.
• Do not burn wheat fields on days with high winds.
• Stay with your fire until it is out and safe to leave.