Community Updates

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.

 2024 Prescribed Burn Announcements

APRIL

April 1, 2024 @ 10:00 AM A prescribed burn will be taking place Monday, April 1st beginning between 11:00 am-noon. The prescribed burn will be located on the south side of the lakes and does not contain any public access, so the Forest Preserve will remain open during the prescribed burn.

There is a possibility parts of the community may see or smell smoke during the active burn and potentially into the night as mop up operations are conducted.

MARCH

March 21, 2024 11:30AM- The prescribed burn referenced below is proceeding. There is a possibility 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 prescribed burn is anticipated to be completed by late afternoon.

The Forest Preserve will remain open during the prescribed burn, but access to the burn area will be restricted (please click here to view the map). 

March 20, 2024

Based on the current weather forecast the Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation is monitoring conditions and may conduct a prescribed burn Thursday, March 21, 2024, in the Forest Preserve.  The final decision to conduct the burn will not be made until Thursday morning.  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 (please click here to view the map).

The prescribed burn is anticipated to start between 10am-noon tomorrow and should be completed by late afternoon.

March 13, 2024 @ 10:30 AM

A prescribed burn will be taking place Wednesday, March 13th beginning between 11:00 am-noon. 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). There is a possibility parts of the community may see or smell smoke during the active burn and potentially into the night as mop up operations are conducted.

March 12, 2024 – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Scheduled for today, March 12, 2024

@ 11:00 AM

The prescribed burn referenced below is proceeding and should be completed by late afternoon. There is a possibility parts of the community may see or smell smoke during the active burn and potentially into the night as mop up operations are conducted.

Another prescribed burn has been tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, March 13th beginning between 10:00 am-noon. 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). Please note 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.  

@ 8:00 AM

A prescribed burn has been tentatively scheduled for today, March 12th beginning between 10:00 am-noon. The Forest Preserve will remain open, but there will be a restricted area near Vanishing Swamp. 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 upon the most current weather forecast and the decision to conduct the burn will not be made until closer to 10:00 am.

FEBRUARY

February 20, 2024 –

Due to favorable weather conditions, a prescribed burn is taking place Tuesday, February 20, 2024, in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. 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 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.

Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Scheduled for February 19, 2024

Due to favorable weather conditions, a prescribed burn is taking place Monday. February 19th in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. 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 restricted access near White Ibis Swamp.

Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2024

A prescribed burn has been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 20th beginning between 10:00 am-noon. 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 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.

2023

Prescribed Burn Announcements

December 2023

12/14/23 @ 4:00 PM – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Nearing CompletionThe prescribed burn that began earlier today in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve is nearing completion. Visible flames from the prescribed burn have diminished. Crews will remain onsite to monitor the area and conduct clean-up.

As a reminder, there is a possibility that parts of the community may be able to see or smell smoke potentially into the night as mop up operations are conducted.

12/14/23 @ 10:00 AM

Due to favorable weather conditions, the prescribed burn is taking place today, December 14th in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. The prescribed burn is anticipated to start between 10am-noon 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, but there will be restricted access near White Ibis Swamp.

12/13/23 – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Scheduled for Thursday, December 14th

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation is monitoring weather conditions for a possible prescribed burn for Thursday, December 14th. If weather conditions are favorable, the prescribed burn will begin mid-morning and will conclude 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.

On the day of burning, the Forest Preserve will remain open, but there will be a restricted area near White Ibis Swamp. Please click here to view a map of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

April 2023

4/21/23 – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Taking Place Today

Please be aware that a prescribed burn is taking place today, April 21, 2023, in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve in proximity to Wood Duck Pond. Click here to view a map of The Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

The prescribed burn began at 10:45 AM and will conclude 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.

To view a prescribed burn activity map provided by the South Carolina Forestry Commission please click here.

For questions, please contact David Henderson, Director of Special Projects and Operations at wildlife@csaseapines.com.

March 2023

3/21/23 – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Taking Place Today

Please be aware that a prescribed burn is taking place today, March 21, 2023, in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.  The prescribed burn will begin between 10 AM – Noon and will conclude 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. Please click here to view a map of the restricted area in the Forest Preserve, which will include Boggy Gut and portions of Bridle and Fish Island Walking Trails. In addition, the Walking Entrance will be closed to automobiles during the active burn. Motorists can still access the Forest Preserve via the Driving Entrance.

For questions, please contact David Henderson, Director of Special Projects and Operations at wildlife@csaseapines.com.

3/2/23 @ 11:00 AM – Due to Favorable Weather Conditions, Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn is in Progress

Please be aware that a prescribed burn is taking place today, March 2, 2023, in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve (pictured below). 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 restricted access.Please click here to view a map of the restricted area in the Forest Preserve, which will include the Shell Ring and the surrounding area.

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