This afternoon and evening, you could see areas of patchy smoke. This is simply from a number of controlled burns happening across the area, mainly the central parts of the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.
This patchy smoke could reduce visibility for some spots until just after sunset.
Every year, wildfires burn thousands of acres of forest in the U.S. The summer of 2000 was particularly bad year, with wildfires burning in many states in the west. Drought, which makes the trees and plants very dry, can make wildfires worse.
Wildifires are often started by lightning, by accident, such as when a camping fire is not completely put out. Fires can also be started on purpose by people who commit the crime of arson.
There are many firefighters across the country whose job it is to put out forest fires. In some cases, these special men and women actually SET FIRES--called PRESCRIBED BURNS. These prescribed fires keep wildfires from going out of control and burning many acres.
A prescribed burn, or a controlled burn, is a tool that firefighters use to reduce the "fuel" for the fire. In other words, to burn trees or brush that would fuel a large wildfire.
Controlled burns are only done when the weather conditions are just right. The wind, for example, has to be blowing in the right direction to move the fire in the way the firefighters want.
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