Berea Fire Dept

05/07/2026

This week, we conducted foam operations training, focusing on proper foam proportioning and various application techniques for firefighting operations.

We would like to thank City of Travelers Rest Fire Department and Duncan Chapel Fire District for participating in this training as our automatic aid partners!

04/23/2026

This week, we conducted an Aerial Operations class with 11 students representing Berea Fire Department, City of Travelers Rest Fire Department and Duncan Chapel Fire District.

During the course, students learned how to properly inspect aerial apparatus, safely stabilize them, and effectively deploy aerial devices for both rescue and firefighting operations.

We would like to thank our in-house instructors for making this class a success and for sharing their knowledge and real-world experience with the next generation of operators.

Great teamwork and great training! 🚒🚒

04/20/2026

Burning ban continues.

While SCFC personnel had a busy weekend with several large or otherwise difficult fires – very typical in April – the number of new ignitions is down significantly since the ban on all outdoor burning was issued last Friday.

The Forestry Commission would like to thank the public for heeding the warnings about the very high fire danger stretching from our mountains to our coast. The persistence of gusty winds, low relative humidity and extremely dry fuels across the state this week continues to make outdoor burning exceptionally risky. It bears repeating that April has historically seen the worst, most damaging and costly wildfires in South Carolina. Learn more: https://www.scfc.gov/protection/fire-burning/fire-resources/important-fires-in-sc/

Unfortunately, most of the wildfires to which the agency responded in the last few days were the result of human negligence. Not only do we ask for the public’s continued patience and restraint until the weather improves, but we also encourage everyone to share the news of the burning ban as far and widely as possible.

04/19/2026

This weekend, six of our personnel attended the Special Operations Conference in Columbia at the South Carolina Fire Academy.

They participated in two hands‑on classes: Elevator Operations and Bus Extraction. The skills and knowledge gained through this training will help our personnel make better decisions on scene and continue to serve our community with increased expertise, safety, and professionalism.

We’re proud to invest in ongoing training to better protect and serve those who depend on us.

04/17/2026

Congratulations to Lieutenant Austin Satterfield for successfully completing the FEMA Structural Collapse Specialist class!

Lieutenant Satterfield serves on South Carolina Task Force 6, responding across the state to provide critical Urban Search and Rescue capabilities.

This intensive 80-hour course prepares rescue technicians to respond to and operate in a wide range of complex rescue scenarios, including structural collapses.

The training covers advanced skills such as calculating the weights of various construction materials, operating multiple types of torches to cut metal, using specialty saws to cut through concrete, and shoring compromised structures damaged by hurricanes, vehicle accidents, or structural system failures.

This achievement makes Lieutenant Satterfield one of only three personnel at Berea to hold this certification. This expertise will greatly benefit our local community and the entire state of South Carolina as responses continue across the state during emergencies.

Thank you for the dedication, commitment, and service to keeping our communities safe!

04/16/2026

SC Forestry Commission to issue statewide burning ban; restriction on all outdoor burning goes into effect at 7 a.m. Friday

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 7 a.m. Friday, April 17.

A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state.

Forestry Commission officials cite a particularly dangerous mix of elevated wildfire risk factors through the weekend that warrant limiting all ignitions in the interest of public safety.

Rapidly escalating drought conditions across the state, a critical decrease in relative humidities over the next several days and gusty winds that are expected to accompany an approaching cold front will combine to create extreme fire danger.

"When it’s this dry – energy release component values are at high-to-critical levels – we’re just as likely, if not more, to see wildfires that are fuel-driven rather than wind-driven. Add the other volatile conditions of increased wind and lower relative humidity, and it becomes an especially precarious situation,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. "These conditions not only increase the likelihood of wildfires igniting easily and spreading rapidly, but would also make them more difficult for firefighters to control.”

While the ban does not apply to fires used for the preparation of food or fires used in appropriate enclosures (portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas or permanent fire pits constructed of stone, masonry, metal or other noncombustible material that conforms with all applicable South Carolina fire codes), Forestry Commission officials urge the utmost caution burning outdoors under these exemptions.

Likewise, citizens should exercise extreme vigilance operating any equipment that could create sparks, avoid parking on dry grass and refrain from using fireworks.

The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.

Shareable release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-StateForestersBurningBan-20260416.pdf

04/13/2026

Check out LEO SANTA’s Reignite Hope program featured in Town Magazine’s April issue.

By fostering relationships between families in crisis and first responders, LEO Santa's Reignite Hope program does more than provide toys and a few necessities - our organization helps restore hope and renew a sense of stability.

Take a moment to read and see the impact. https://towncarolina.com/april-2026/
(page 77)

04/08/2026

Forestry Commission issuing statewide Red Flag Fire Alert
COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, effective at 6 a.m. Wednesday, April 8.

The alert is being issued to strongly discourage people from burning outdoors when weather conditions present an elevated risk of wildfire.

In addition to a widespread deficit of rainfall that continues to intensify drought over much of the state, Wednesday’s forecast includes gusty winds higher than 20 mph and relative humidities under 25% in places.

Because current weather conditions are very conducive to fires escaping easily and spreading rapidly, anyone considering outdoor burning should take extra precautions if they still choose to burn under a Red Flag Fire Alert. Those who have burned recently should return to monitor their burn areas and ensure the dry conditions don’t cause any rekindling.

“Wildfire potential is always higher this time of year, and our use of the Red Flag Fire Alert a few weeks ago made a huge difference in the number of new ignitions,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “This warning is a great tool that encourages citizens to voluntarily postpone any such burning until the alert is lifted. We’re simply asking for people to respect the weather, be smart and stay safe.”

Adding to the danger, particularly in the western part of the state, are the heavy fuel loads that remain in our forests from Hurricane Helene. Not only can these downed, drying trees and other fuels act as kindling, increasing the risk of wildfire ignition and spread, but they also are likely to impede firefighters’ access, adversely impacting response capability.

Although a Red Flag Fire Alert does not ban outdoor burning, it does trigger certain county or local ordinances that restrict outdoor fires, so residents should contact their local fire departments to check whether such restrictions apply in their areas. The alert will remain in effect until lifted by the Commission, whose fire managers will continuously monitor the situation.

Press release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-RedFlagFireAlert-260408.pdf

04/01/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting the Enoree Career Center firefighting students at our training facility!

The students spent the day practicing essential skills to help prepare them for their upcoming end‑of‑course evaluations later in April. Duncan Chapel Fire District and City of Travelers Rest Fire Department were also in attendance and assisted with instructing the skill stations. We appreciate everyone who helped make this a valuable and productive training day!

Photo credit: http://Parduhn.lens.co

03/29/2026

This husky has shown up at our Station 9 located at 54 Old Hunts Bridge Rd., Greenville, SC 29617. If he belongs to you or you know the owner, please contact us or come by and pick him up. Thanks!