Flat Creek Volunteer Fire Department

03/28/2026

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

01/25/2026

03/29/2025

Congratulations Chief B. Blackmon

Please join us in congratulating the Leadership Institute 2024 class on graduating from the program! This group of dedicated fire service leaders spent the last year learning about the ins and outs of the South Carolina fire service and the vast differences between departments. The time and effort these individuals have put into the program is commendable.

Graduates in alphabetical order:

Britt Blackmon, Flat Creek Volunteer Fire
Ralph Eric Burwell, Horry County Fire Rescue
Cory Chinn, Clear Spring Fire Rescue
Sean Collins, Myrtle Beach Fire Department
April Conyers, Clarendon County Fire Rescue
Peter Dontje, City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department
John Galganski, North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue
Austin Keith, Clemson University Fire & EMS
Richard Long, South Spartanburg Fire District
Micah Rains, Greenville City Fire Department City of Greenville, South Carolina Government
Daniel Smith, North Augusta Public Safety
Joshua Yale, Greenville City Fire Department City of Greenville, South Carolina Government

Congratulations! 🥳

03/02/2025

SC FORESTRY COMMISSION ISSUES STATEWIDE BURNING BAN — The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective immediately.

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.

Very low relative humidities statewide, coupled with drying fuels resulting from the lack of significant rain, have resulted in 102 wildfire ignitions today alone. Much-higher-than-forecasted winds have led to these fires spreading rapidly and growing larger.

While a majority of the current wildfire activity is concentrated in the P*e Dee region, the rest of the state is experiencing a dramatic uptick in wildfires today, straining the capacity of agency firefighters to respond.

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

12/11/2024

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!! We hope you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving

04/09/2024

Congratulations to one of our own for having the most training hours in 2023 for Lancaster County Fire Rescue. Thank you for all that you do!!

Congratulations to Ronald Schachtner for having the most training hours for Lancaster County Fire Rescue in 2023. Training office Britt Blackmon presented Ronald with a plaque at the April 4th Fire Commission meeting. Thank you Ronald for all your hard work and dedication.

01/08/2024

🚨PREPARE FOR TUESDAY’S SEVERE WEATHER🚨

South Carolina residents should prepare for severe weather expected to impact the state Tuesday. As of this morning, Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict widespread damaging winds and the possibility of tornados, heavy rains and flash flooding, with the most severe storm conditions likely tomorrow afternoon.

Residents should take immediate safety precautions if they receive an emergency alert or are advised to do so by local public safety officials.

Before the storm, double-check emergency plans, including:

-Review Your Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit. Make sure your cell phone and other devices are charged in case of power outages.

-Secure Outdoor Items: Be sure to clean up any items in your yard that may become dangerous projectiles due to high winds. This includes outdoor furniture, garden tools, decorations, and toys.

-Stay Informed: Check local weather forecasts for information specific to your area and stay informed about storm developments. Have multiple ways to get emergency information.

-Turn Around Don't Drown: Heavy rain can lead to flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall.

-If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, get indoors to a pre-designated area such as an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway, central bathroom with no windows) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls.

- If you're in a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building, or storm shelter.

- If you cannot get indoors, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of potential flooding and flying debris.

- Remember, straight-line winds can be just as damaging as a tornado.

As conditions change, stay up-to-date with the latest weather forecasts from the National Weather Service and local meteorologists. They will give you the best local information about the timing of the storm and conditions in specific areas.

What to do during severe weather: https://scemd.org/prepare/types-of-disasters/thunderstorms/

Before, During and After a Tornado: https://scemd.org/prepare/types-of-disasters/tornadoes/

Flood Safety: https://www.scemd.org/prepare/types-of-disasters/floods/

12/17/2023

From all of us at Flat Creek Fire Department we would like to say Thank You to everyone that came yesterday to visit Santa!! We hope you all have a Merry Christmas!!

12/16/2023

SANTA HAS ARRIVED!!!

Flat Creek Fire Department Open House December 16th 1pm-4pm. Come out and take pictures with Santa! Hot Chocolate, Coffee and Candy Canes for everyone. We hope to see you all there.

7563 Flat Creek Rd, Kershaw, SC 29067

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving from all of our families to yours!