CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Forestry officials say a red flag alert continues for all of South Carolina because of wildfire danger.

Forestry Commission spokesman Scott Hawkins says the woods fire season is likely to be more intense this year.

Commission fire chief Paul Watts says the number of wildfires and acres burned since July 1st is more than double that of a typical year.

Firefighters across the state have battled several dozen blazes just this week.

The red flag alert was issued because of low humidity and brisk winds. The alert encourages people to postpone burning until conditions improve. Some local governments ban outdoor burning when such an alert is issued.

The National Weather Service says winds could gust to 30 miles an hour today as a storm system moves by north of South Carolina.