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.

The 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.

4/21/23 – 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.

4/20/23 – Prescribed Burn in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve Scheduled for 4/21
Please be aware that a prescribed burn is scheduled to take place Friday, April 21st, in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve in proximity to Wood Duck Pond. Click here to view a map of The Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

If weather conditions are favorable, the prescribed burn will begin between 10 AM – noon and will conclude late afternoon. The area of the prescribed burn does not contain public access, so the Forest Preserve will remain open. 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.

As a reminder, prescribed burns mimic natural wildfires, 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.

For more information, please visit www.seapinesliving.com/prescribedburn

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

Previous Prescribed Burn Announcements

3/21/23 @ 3:45PM – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Nearing Completion

The prescribed burn that began earlier today in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve is nearing completion. Visible flames from the prescribed burn have diminished and the walking trails in the restricted area have been re-opened to the public. 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.

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.

3/20/2023- Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2023, weather permitting

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation is monitoring weather conditions for a possible prescribed burn for tomorrow, March 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 restricted access. 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.

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.

3/2/2023 –4:00 PM Update: Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Nearing Completion

The prescribed burn that began earlier today in the Sea Pines Forest Preserve is nearing completion. Visible flames from the prescribed burn have diminished and 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.

March 2, 2023, 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.

March 1, 2023 – Sea Pines Forest Preserve Prescribed Burn Scheduled for March 2, 2023

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve Foundation is monitoring weather conditions for a possible prescribed burn for tomorrow, March 2nd. If weather conditions are favorable, the prescribed burn will begin between 9:00 – 11:00 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.On the day of burning, 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.

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.