Greenwood County Fire Service

06/06/2026

Yesterday, county fire was dispatched to a residence on Crescent Rd for the report of a structure fire. E-14 from station 30 was the first arriving engine and reported a working fire. The Greenwood City Fire Department responded automatic aid and assisted with search and fire attack. A cause is still under investigation. Excellent work by all personnel on scene.

05/15/2026

Yesterday, several members of our staff stopped by to pay our respects and leave flowers on the memorial for Greenwood Police Department officer DJ Keller. While we were there, a lady was there and offered to donate monetarily towards the flower we had purchased as a group. She didn’t give much, and she DID NOT have too. However, it was the simple act of kindness towards us that was worth more than money can buy. It doesn’t matter how much you give, we can always give kindness. Never met this man before in my life but I’m sure Officer DJ would do the same. Rest easy brother. We will remember.

05/12/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with Greenwood Police Department in the their tragic LODD today. Please pray for this family and this entire community of first responders. We are here for you!!

04/25/2026

☀️ Saturday Spotlight: Public Safety Careers ☀️

From emergency response to community safety, our public safety professionals are there when it matters most. Explore this week’s featured opportunities and consider a career serving Greenwood County.

☀️ Detention Officer I
Maintain the safety and security of the detention facility by supervising inmates, enforcing rules, and supporting the daily operations of the county’s correctional system.

☀️ Firefighter II / EMR
Respond to emergency calls, provide medical assistance, and help protect lives and property through fire suppression, rescue operations, and public safety education.

☀️ Paramedic
Deliver advanced emergency medical care and life-saving treatment to patients while responding quickly and compassionately to medical emergencies across the community.

We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for growth, and the chance to serve your community every day.

View all open positions and apply today: https://www.greenwoodcounty-sc.gov/jobs

Join the team. Serve your community. Build your future. Shine Bright with Greenwood County.

04/16/2026

To our guys and gals who sit behind the radio, thank you!! We really wouldn’t be able to do our job without each and every one of you. You are the first voice our community hears in their time of need and although many may never see you, your calm and caring voice has helped countless people. Thank you again for what you do!!!

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

04/07/2026

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

03/30/2026

‼️From Chief Holmes:

“I received this in a text this morning, I couldn't write anything that captured the essence of Jeff any better than that. Just being in the presence of Jeff at work, on the scene, or in day to day life would brighten your day. We will all miss him in many ways.”
Greenwood County Fire Services

03/29/2026

SC Forestry Commission to lift statewide burning ban

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission will lift the statewide burning ban at 7 a.m. Monday, March 30.

The extremely low relative humidities and gusty winds that prompted the March 27 ban have subsided, although elevated drought conditions over much of the state warrant the need to be extremely vigilant when burning outdoors.

While rain chances increase later this week, it is not expected to be enough to improve the drought status significantly. Above-average fire danger and activity is still expected through April, which has historically seen the most damaging and costliest wildfires in South Carolina. Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire(s) to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

“Just because the burning ban is being lifted, it does not mean the fire danger is gone. Most of the state is still very dry, and the risk of fires igniting easily remains. Anyone who has conducted a burn recently should continue to monitor it closely because of the potential for it to reignite,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “If you choose to burn outdoors, you should be extremely careful and take all necessary precautions. Any fire you start is your responsibility even if it rekindles and spreads days later.”

Citizens who may plan to conduct outdoor burning of residential yard debris or prescribed burns must still notify the Forestry Commission before doing so.

Residential yard debris burning
State law requires citizens who live in unincorporated areas to notify the Forestry Commission before burning outdoors. In most cases, the law applies to burning leaves, limbs and branches that people clean up from their yards. Citizens who do live in city/town limits must still abide by any burning ordinances in their local jurisdictions.
Citizens can make notification online by visiting scfc.gov/notify or by calling the toll-free notification number for the county in which they live, found here: scfc.gov/protection/fire-burning/how-to-notify/.

Prescribed burning
State law requires that you notify the Forestry Commission before burning for forestry, wildlife management or agricultural purposes. This includes burning for wildfire hazard reduction, brush control, endangered species management, wildlife habitat improvement, plant disease control, crop residue removal and preparation of land for planting trees or agricultural crops. All burning for forestry, wildlife and agriculture must comply with SC Smoke Management Guidelines.
To make notification, regardless of county, please call (800) 777-3473.

Read the full release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Advisory-BurningBanLifted-20260330.pdf

02/14/2026