A senate RESOLUTION

 

to RECOGNIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTRY COMMISSION FOR THE CRUCIAL ROLE THEY PLAY IN PREVENTING WILDFIRES, SAFEGUARDING COMMUNITIES, PROTECTING WILDLIFE HABITATS, AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY FOREST ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE, AND TO APPLAUD THEIR RESPONSE TO THE CAROLINA FOREST WILDFIRES, WHICH ULTIMATELY PREVENTED DAMAGE TO CITIZENS, HOMES, BUSINESSES, AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN HORRY COUNTY.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) has long served as a critical agency in protecting, managing, and preserving the State's forest resources, ensuring that they continue to provide ecological, economic, and social benefits to the citizens of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, South Carolina's forests are vital to the State's environment, economy, and quality of life, supporting thousands of jobs, enhancing biodiversity, and contributing to the State's natural beauty and air quality; and

 

Whereas, the SCFC plays a key role in forest fire prevention, protection, and response, working alongside State and local partners to safeguard communities, protect wildlife habitats, and maintain healthy forest ecosystems across the State; and

 

Whereas, the SCFC's fire prevention programs, including public education efforts, prescribed burning practices, and forest management services, help reduce the risk of wildfires and minimize the impact of fire on both the natural landscape and surrounding communities; and

 

Whereas, South Carolina's forests are increasingly vulnerable to wildfires due to weather conditions, climate change, and human activity, making the work of the SCFC and its partners more important than ever in the effort to reduce fire risks and ensure the safety of citizens across the State; and

 

Whereas, the SCFC's fire suppression teams, composed of trained firefighters and equipment, are at the forefront of responding to wildfires, acting quickly and effectively to contain and extinguish fires and thus preventing damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure; and

 

Whereas, more than two thousand acres in Horry County were impacted by severe wildfires beginning on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The SCFC played an instrumental role in containing the fires to protect Horry County citizens, homes, and businesses.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) for the crucial role they play in preventing wildfires, safeguarding communities, protecting wildlife habitats, and maintaining healthy forest ecosystems across the State, and applaud the SCFC's fire suppression teams for their response to the Carolina Forest wildfires, which ultimately prevented damage to citizens, homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Horry County.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the chair of the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Dr. Walter McPhail.

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