Branchville Police Department

04/24/2026

04/08/2026

‼️‼️PSA‼️‼️ Another Burn Ban has been issued for SC‼️‼️

SCFC to lift Red Flag Fire Alert for 25 counties Thursday
COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is lifting the Red Flag Fire Alert for 25 counties, effective at 6 a.m., Thursday, April 9.

The counties for which the alert is being discontinued are Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg (see map).

Agency officials say the weather factors that prompted the Wednesday alert, primarily the low relative humidity and gusty winds, are expected to moderate in some areas, but will still be present at near critical levels in the western part of the state.

Although the lack of significant rainfall across most of the state is keeping fuels dry, the current overall conditions in the state’s eastern counties are less volatile. Even without high winds, the dry weather and intensifying drought conditions are expected to remain at least through April.

Although the Red Flag Fire Alert has been lifted, the Forestry Commission still urges vigilance when burning outdoors. State law requires anyone planning to burn outdoors (outside of city limits) to notify the Forestry Commission in advance and take the proper precautions. Those include clearing a firebreak around the burn area, having water and/or tools on standby to keep the fire contained and never leaving a fire unattended.

The Red Flag Fire Alert will remain in effect for all other counties until further notice.

Press release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-SCFCLiftingRedFlagFireAlertFor25Counties-20260409.pdf

03/27/2026

SC Forestry Commission to issue statewide burning ban, effective at 4 p.m. today

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 4 p.m. today.

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.

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 say weather conditions over the next several days present a greatly elevated potential for fires igniting easily and spreading rapidly. Dangerously low relative humidities – reaching below 20% in some areas – combined with extremely dry fuels statewide and gusty winds will create a particularly volatile mix of wildfire risk factors throughout the weekend.

"In addition to the intensifying drought conditions, the weather we’re going to see statewide over the next several days makes it ripe for any fire that starts to burn intensely and move fast,” SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones said. "While these conditions can make wildfires ignite easily anywhere and make it more challenging for firefighters to contain, we’re really concerned about areas where events like Hurricane Helene and recent ice damage have led to higher amounts of fuel. This burning ban is necessary to limit ignitions to the maximum extent possible to prevent severe wildfires for public safety purposes."

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

Shareable link:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Advisory-StateForestersBurningBan-20260327.pdf

03/27/2026

‼️ ATTENTION ‼️

A statewide burn ban has been issued across the state of South Carolina beginning at 4:00 PM and will remain in effect until further notice.

If you have any questions, please contact the South Carolina Forestry Commission. You can also follow the Branchville Police Department page for updates as they become available.

‼️ NO OUTDOOR BURNING ALLOWED ‼️

SC Forestry Commission to issue statewide burning ban, effective at 4 p.m. today

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 4 p.m. today.

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.

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 say weather conditions over the next several days present a greatly elevated potential for fires igniting easily and spreading rapidly. Dangerously low relative humidities – reaching below 20% in some areas – combined with extremely dry fuels statewide and gusty winds will create a particularly volatile mix of wildfire risk factors throughout the weekend.

"In addition to the intensifying drought conditions, the weather we’re going to see statewide over the next several days makes it ripe for any fire that starts to burn intensely and move fast,” SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones said. "While these conditions can make wildfires ignite easily anywhere and make it more challenging for firefighters to contain, we’re really concerned about areas where events like Hurricane Helene and recent ice damage have led to higher amounts of fuel. This burning ban is necessary to limit ignitions to the maximum extent possible to prevent severe wildfires for public safety purposes."

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

Shareable link:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Advisory-StateForestersBurningBan-20260327.pdf

03/27/2026

‼️‼️PSA‼️‼️ BE AWARE‼️‼️
BURN BAND IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

02/15/2026

PUPDATE……. Sadly no one has contacted us about this sweet pup…….

So we are switching it up. She needs a fur-ever home. Please help us find that for her!
She is great with kids and other dogs

02/14/2026

Anyone missing this sweet little pup. She was found on Dorange near the school.

01/30/2026

From the National Weather Service:

EXTREME COLD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.

* WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as zero possible.

* WHERE...Portions of east central Georgia and central South
Carolina.

* WHEN...From Saturday evening through Sunday morning.

* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of freezing
temperatures could cause ruptured water pipes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.

Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.

01/30/2026

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Orangeburg County Library, Landfill and Convenience sites will be closed on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Should the circumstances change, operational adjustments will be made accordingly.

Employees and citizens may find additional information on the County’s website at www.orangeburgcounty.org and page (https://www.facebook.com/OrangeburgCounty) local media sites, and by calling 803-533-1000 or 803-533-6265.

Individuals with special medical needs can contact the DPH care line at 833-351-9990.

01/25/2026

If you must travel during winter weather, ensure your cell phone is charged and tell someone where you are going, what your travel route is, and when you expect to arrive.
In case of a minor collision without injuries, move your vehicle off the roadway and call 911 for assistance.
For more winter driving tips, visit: www.scdps.sc.gov/winter

01/25/2026

If your car breaks down during winter weather, don’t panic! Instead, remember these tips ❄