The Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Program
Prescribed burns are a valuable forest management tool and are an important part of Sea Pines Forest Preserve’s Ecological Land Management Plan. The burns mimic natural wildfires, which have historically shaped habitats in the Lowcountry, but are controlled to occur at the right place and right time. Conducting prescribed burns will help maintain a diverse forest understory and further protect the ecosystem of the Forest Preserve.
Prescribed burning is used across the country and is used extensively throughout the Southeast as a vital element of proactive land management programs. Many local communities such as Palmetto Bluff, Spring Island, Moss Creek and Jekyll Island, currently use prescribe burns as an ecological tool to protect and enhance their forests.
Any upcoming prescribed burns are weather dependent. Sea Pines CSA will notify the community in advance of a prescribed burn once the Sea Pines Forest Preserve advises that weather conditions are favorable. To view a prescribed burn activity map provided by the South Carolina Forestry Commission please click here.
| 4/7/26 @ 9:30 AM- THE BURN REFERENCED BELOW IS PROCEEDING. 4/6/26 – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026 A prescribed burn has been tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, April 7, in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve near the Trolley Station (Lot #1) off Greenwood Drive. The burn is scheduled to begin between 9:00 AM and noon, and the Forest Preserve will remain open, but access to the burn area will be restricted. Parts of the community may see or smell smoke during the active burn and potentially into the night as mop-up operations are conducted. Please note this schedule is based on the most current weather forecast, and the decision to conduct the burn will not be made until tomorrow morning. Updates will be posted to our website at seapinesliving.com/prescribedburn. — 3/18/26- The burn referenced below is in progress. 3/17/26 @ 4:30PM – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026 A prescribed burn has been tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, March 18, beginning between 10:00 AM and noon. Parts of the community may see or smell smoke during the active burn and potentially into the night as mop-up operations are conducted. The Forest Preserve will remain open, but there will be a restricted area near Fisherman’s Point. Please click here to view a map of the Forest Preserve and the areas that will be restricted during the prescribed burn. Please note this schedule is based on the most current weather forecast and the decision to conduct the burn will not be made until closer to 10:00 am tomorrow morning. Updates will be posted to our website at seapinesliving.com/prescribedburn. — 3/11/26 @ 9:30 AM -The prescribed burn referenced below is proceeding. The prescribed burn is anticipated to start between 11am and noon today and should be completed by late afternoon. There is a possibility that parts of the community may be able to see or smell smoke during the active burn and potentially into the night as mop up operations are conducted. The Forest Preserve will remain open during the prescribed burn, but access to the burn area will be restricted (click here to view map). Please note this restricted area surrounds the Shell Ring (i.e. there will be no access to the Shell Ring during the burn). – 3/10/26 – A prescribed burn has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, beginning around noon. There is a possibility that parts of the community may be able to see or smell smoke during the active burn and potentially into the night as mop up operations are conducted. The Forest Preserve will remain open, but there will be a restricted area near Lake Joe (click here to view map). Please note this restricted area surrounds the Shell Ring (i.e. there will be no access to the Shell Ring during the burn). This schedule is based upon the most current weather forecast and the decision to conduct the burn will not be made until closer to 10:00 am tomorrow morning |
