UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA — Residents across Greenville, Spartanburg, and parts of western North Carolina may notice hazy skies and a smell of smoke this week — but officials say there’s no cause for alarm. The haze is coming from a 1,000-acre prescribed burn in Transylvania County, North Carolina, intended to reduce wildfire risks and promote forest health.
According to forestry officials, the burn is being conducted under controlled conditions by state and federal fire management teams. The smoke plume has been carried southward by upper-level winds, spreading over portions of Henderson County, North Carolina, and drifting into Greenville and Spartanburg Counties in South Carolina.
What Is a Prescribed Burn?
A prescribed burn, also known as a controlled burn, is a carefully planned fire intentionally set by forestry professionals to mimic natural fire cycles. These burns help clear excess underbrush, recycle nutrients into the soil, and prevent uncontrolled wildfires from spreading later in the season.
Fire crews follow strict weather and safety guidelines — including monitoring wind speeds, humidity levels, and fuel moisture — to ensure the blaze remains contained within designated boundaries…