The statewide burn ban was lifted Monday in South Carolina but a burn ban remains in place in Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties.Here is the latest from the South Carolina Forestry Commission: "The Forestry Commission lifted the ban in the other 41 counties because the dangerous combination of low relative humidity and gusty winds that prompted the March 21 outdoor burning prohibition are expected to subside substantially statewide over the next week. "The ban is being left in place in the remaining counties for several reasons. The sheer amount of Forestry Commission and fire department personnel/equipment dedicated to the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties, which includes two wildfires that have grown to a combined 13,000-plus acres, has potential to strain the capacity of local response to new wildfire ignitions. "The ban in Horry County remains in place while Forestry Commission resources continue to focus their efforts on mop-up and strengthening firebreaks around the Myrtle Beach-area Covington Drive Fire, which is now 85 percent contained. “Burning bans are not intended to be extended, much less permanent, solutions to wildfires,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “Prescribed burns in particular are necessary tools for forestry and agriculture, but we can’t emphasize enough the importance of using fire prudently and respecting the weather. ”Underlying conditions still warrant the need to be extremely vigilant when burning outdoors, as above-average fire danger and activity is expected through April, which has historically seen the worst, most damaging and costly wildfires in South Carolina. Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Citizens who may plan to conduct outdoor burning of residential yard debris or prescribed burns must still notify the Forestry Commission before doing so."