Charlton County Fire Rescue

05/16/2026

Volunteers from Folkston, Racepond, and Winokur stations, along with the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Charlton County unit responded to Highway 40 near the county line for a report of a brush fire this evening. According to witnesses, the fire was started when a tree fell and struck a powerline. Okefenokee Rural Electric responded and secured the power. The fire was quickly contained at just over a third of an acre, and extinguished. This should serve as a reminder that although we have received SOME rainfall in the last week, the drought conditions are still there. It’s still very dry outside. The Charlton County burn ban remains in effect. Sheriffs Deputies are issuing citations for being in violation of the burn ban. Take the time to call your family and friends and make sure that they know. The burn ban has not been lifted for Charlton County! As always, thank you for your support! Have a safe and happy weekend!!

05/12/2026

Are you ready to shine a light on your safety and visibility? 🌟 A reflective 911 address marker can be a game-changer for you and your loved ones! Not only does it make it easy for visitors to find your home, but it also helps EMS personnel respond quickly in emergency situations. The best part? The Charlton County Extension Office can create one for you for under $20, and even provide poles if needed. Want to learn more? Call us at 912-496-2040 or stop by 55 Kingsland Dr. Folkston. Your support will help power positive change in our community through the Charlton County Extension Office operations budget.

05/09/2026

🔥 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

While the State of Georgia has eased emergency outdoor burning restrictions in some parts of the state, Charlton County remains one of 17 Southeast Georgia counties that are still under State Forester burn restrictions due to ongoing drought conditions and elevated wildfire risk.

Charlton County also remains under a LOCAL burn ban enacted by the Charlton County Board of Commissioners.

🌧️ 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅.

Although rain may temporarily wet the surface, vegetation, wooded areas, and ground fuels can still remain dry enough for fires to ignite and spread quickly — especially with wind and low humidity conditions.

⚠️ Please continue to:
• Avoid outdoor burning
• Properly discard ci******es
• Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass
• Secure trailer chains to prevent sparks
• Report smoke or fire concerns promptly

Even with improving conditions in some areas of Georgia, wildfire danger remains significant across our region. One escaped fire can quickly threaten, people, homes, timber, wildlife, and emergency responders.

We appreciate everyone continuing to help protect Charlton County and surrounding communities. 🌲🚒

Stay informed:

📲 State burn restriction updates: Georgia Forestry Commission

📲Local burn ban restriction updates: Charlton County Fire Rescue and Charlton County EMA

05/05/2026

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥There is still an active BURN BAN in Charlton County. Our Fire Department had to work hard today to put out unnecessary illegal burns.

This is a reminder that even though we are having some wonderful weather and want to do spring cleaning in our yards, DO NOT START ANY FIRES!
🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

05/03/2026

Just to be 100% clear.. Yes, it rained yesterday. No, the burn ban has not been lifted. Drought conditions do continue. Charlton County is still over a 600 on the KBDI. Do not burn!!!

04/27/2026

TOWN OF HILLIARD, FLORIDA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗳-𝗗𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Funeral Arrangements Announced for Firefighter Crews
Hilliard, FL — April 27, 2026 — The Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) announces the visitation and funeral arrangements for Firefighter Kevin Crews, who passed away in the line of duty on April 23, 2026.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, FL 32011.

𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at West Church located at 550974 US-1, Hilliard, FL 32046.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Prior to the service, a funeral procession will begin at the Nassau Funeral Home at 8:30 a.m. The route will travel north on US-1, turn left onto CR 108, then proceed left onto Pecan Street, past Fire Station 4, left onto W. 1st Street, and right onto US-1, concluding at West Church.

Community members are encouraged to join in honoring Firefighter Crews by safely lining the procession route. See attached map.

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀:
Agency Honor Guard Units and Dignitaries are welcome to attend. To coordinate, please contact Nassau County Fire Rescue (NCFR), Battalion Chief Jeff Dodd at 904-710-2979.

𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
For coordination, please contact Sgt. Brandy Turman at 904-583-0411.

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁:
To allow Hilliard VFD Chief Jerry Johnson time to focus on the Crews’ family and support Station 4 personnel, NCFR Chief Brady Rigdon will serve as their point of contact until further notice. Chief Rigdon can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or at 904-753-1627.

04/26/2026

Do us, and the community a favor. If you know someone who doesn’t have social media, and doesn’t read the local newspaper, PLEASE take the time to call them this evening and make sure that they know Charlton County is under a burn ban.

04/24/2026

EDIT: The Town of Hilliard has just released an official statement, identifying the Firefighter as Firefighter Kevin Crews. You can read their full official statement on the Town of Hilliard Florida page.

Sending condolences to the Hilliard Community in Nassau County today. A 59 year old member of the Town of Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department passed away while operating at a brush fire in the Hilliard area yesterday. The firefighter’s name has not been publicly released yet. More information will follow over the next few days. As we continue to pray for all the folks over in Brantley County, let’s also keep this firefighter’s family, and our neighbors to the south at the Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department in our prayers as well.

04/21/2026

04/17/2026

Nassau County Fire Rescue, Hilliard Vol. Fire Dept, Callahan Vol. Fire Dept, and the Florida Forest Service are currently working to extinguish two brush fires north and west of Hilliard. One near Murhee Rd, and a larger one near Conner Nelson Rd. Be aware that smoke from these fires will be visible from areas along GA. 121. Please avoid the area of Conner Nelson Rd. We do not know any additional information at this time.