THE ISSUE: Prescribed Fire Act
OUR VIEW: Delaying legislation undermines practice that can save forests
Prescribed fire as a land-management tool has deep and ancient roots in South Carolina's heritage.
Properly conducted prescribed burns (also called controlled burns) have multiple benefits. They help restore and maintain habitat for wildlife and plants. They enhance public safety by reducing fuel loads, thereby making wildfire impossible or unlikely for some time afterward.
Wildfires are less destructive in areas where prescribed burning has been the practice. Wildfires often either lose intensity or go out when they reach areas that have been burned. It is much better to deal with a predictable amount and direction of smoke at a known time under prescribed conditions in a planned fire that reduces forest fuels than to deal with a wildfire on that same land.
Prescribed fire is also, along with hunting and agriculture, an essential part of the heritage and character of the South. Every culture that has ever lived in the South has had an ancient tradition of woods burning. The Indians transformed the Southern landscape for thousands of years with fire, and the Africans and Europeans brought with them from the Old World the time-tested practice of using fire to mold the land to their needs.
Johnny Stowe, wildlife biologist for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, is a longtime advocate of controlled burns. He says: "With prescribed fire, we now stand at a crossroad with a great challenge and opportunity facing us. At stake are who we are culturally, how much we value the natural Southern landscape, and public safety. We must always heed Smokey's call to never use fire carelessly or with ill intent. But let's rekindle and preserve the ancient Southern flame that is now called prescribed fire. By adhering to the principles of carefully burning only within the constraints of the law, we protect our land and culture, as well as ourselves and future generations."
The South Carolina Legislature wants to take a step to promote and protect the practice of prescribed burning. And as much as it is likely that lawmakers ultimately will take the action, a procedural move is presently blocking the way.
Orangeburg County Clemson Extension Agent Beth Richardson, a forestry expert, is joining with the S.C. Forestry Commission and others in the "forestry community" in urging citizens to contact their state senators TODAY to get the Prescribed Fire Act on track. Online contact can be made at scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=S
The legislation passed the House of Representatives without a dissenting vote on March 11, 2011. The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee favorably reported out the bill, co-sponsored by 30 senators, on April 20, 2011. In the Senate, however, a single objection can delay a bill from consideration on the floor.
A Darlington senator pushed the legislation to the contested calendar, which means at this point in the legislative session, the bill must be placed on so-called special order to be assured of consideration in 2012. If it is not passed, the entire process starts over with a new two-year legislative term in 2013. That means going back to the House and through the entire process again.
Senators will decide Tuesday on granting special order. With other legislation in the same procedural situation, supporters are looking for a guarantee of 2012 consideration. Only so many bills will be set for special order. The Prescribed Fire Act should be one of them.
It would reduce liability for smoke-related issues resulting from burns conducted by certified prescribed fire managers under state laws and regulations. It would encourage more landowners to become certified prescribed fire managers.
There are an estimated 3,000 wildfires in our state annually totaling $25 million in damages. Prescribed burns are the best way to reduce the intensity and destruction from such fires. Lawmakers should act to further empower experts to fight fire with fire.
