Open air fires are regulated by City of Florence Ordinances and enforced by the City of Florence Fire Department. For all practical purposes, any outdoor burning is prohibited within City limits.

If you are going to burn debris in the County, be sure to get a burn permit from the Forestry Commission. Please call 1-800-777-3473. This is an automated system. Just follow directions on the telephone.

Permits must be issued by the Forestry Commission prior to the lighting of any fires and are only granted for agricultural burning such as garden plots, tree trimmings, hedgerows, and bonfires. Campfires in parks are restricted to fire pits or grills and are subject to park rules and regulations, but they do not require a burn permit. Burning permits for land clearing must be obtained from the state. The burning of building materials, tires, shingles, and flammable liquids is strictly prohibited.

Basic conditions for burning are as follows: Burning must be on your own property, not in any public road, alley, gutter, or right of way. A competent person must be in attendance at all times until the fire is extinguished. Some means of extinguishing the fire must be present, usually a charged water hose. If your burning should create a public nuisance, such as complaints, the burning must cease. Should your fire get away and burn the property of another, you are responsible for all damages plus the cost of extinguishing the fire. Open fires must be at least 300 feet from any structure. Fires in an approved container, such as a metal drum, shall be no closer than 300 feet to structure. Smoke cannot be located within 1000 feet of a major highway.

For more information about open air burning, stop by the department's main offices, located at 144 East Palmetto Street, Florence between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or call them at 843-665-3231.