Southern states send wildfire support to South Carolina

Interstate wildfire response bolsters South Carolina’s efforts as extreme conditions persist

State forestry agencies from across the Southeast have come together to send wildfire support to the state of South Carolina, which is experiencing extreme wildfire activity and abnormal fire behavior. At the request of the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact was activated by Russell Bozeman, compact chair and Mississippi State Forester. 

“Support from southern state forestry agencies is boosting response efforts in South Carolina, helping to protect lives, homes, community infrastructure and natural resources. These interstate partnerships are a crucial part of strategic wildfire response in the South, allowing states to deploy resources when and where they’re needed most. By working together, states not only enhance wildfire response, but also improve firefighter safety by reducing strain on local crews,” said Jim Prevette, Fire Director for the Southern Group of State Foresters. “These cooperative partnerships also provide valuable experience for wildland firefighters who deploy, allowing them to sharpen their skills in different fire environments and bring that expertise home.”

The Southeastern Compact enables participating state forestry agencies to send wildland firefighting resources and personnel quickly and efficiently across state lines to suppress wildfires. While State Foresters continue to monitor conditions to ensure their own states have adequate staffing and resources to respond to wildfires and emergencies, the Southeastern Compact provides a ready system for sharing overhead resources and state-to-state reimbursement for wildfire support.

For more information about wildfires in the South, visit the SGSF Wildland Fire Management webpage or contact your local state forestry agency.