Norris Fire Department

04/27/2026

The statewide burning ban remains in effect. Despite some scattered areas in the northern Midlands receiving up to a half-inch or slightly more Saturday, most of the state received no measurable or effectual rainfall.
A widespread precipitation deficit of ~20 inches continues to intensify the ongoing drought, and generally, heavily depleted subsoils require many weeks of consistent, slow-soaking rain to recover. While rising relative humidities and decreasing winds may ultimately prompt the lifting of the burning ban, fire danger will still be elevated for some time because of drought conditions.
Please be advised that outdoor burning, save for grill cooking and small/permanent pit fires, is still prohibited by law at this time. The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.
(Graphic: USGS 48-hour precipitation data, April 26, 2026)

04/22/2026

🔥CATEECHEE MILL FIRE 🔥

At 3:51pm Monday afternoon (04/20) Norris and Central Fire Departments were dispatched to a possible brush fire in the 600 block of Cateechee Trail in Central.

NFD Brush 8-1 and CFD Engine 7-4 arrived on scene and reported heavy fire conditions with structures threatened. Additional units were then requested to respond due to the extreme fire and weather conditions.

Residents in the area were issued an evacuation notice due to heavy amounts of smoke in the area and the potential for further fire spreading.

Units operated for several hours to control and contain the fire to prevent further spread in the surrounding areas. Once conditions improved, the evacuation notice for the area was lifted and units began to clear the scene.

Norris Fire Department would like to thank the nearly 55 personnel from numerous departments and agencies who responded and assisted with the incident.

Responding Units:
Norris Fire Department
Central Fire Department
Clemson University Fire and EMS
Liberty Fire Department
Six Mile Fire Department
Keowee Springs Fire Department
Pickens Rural Fire Department
Anderson County - Three & Twenty FD
Easley Fire Department
Pickens County Fire/Rescue
Pickens County EMS
Pickens County Emergency Management
South Carolina Forestry Commission
Clemson University Forestry

04/16/2026

This is a statewide burning ban, which means absolutely no burning is permitted, so please refrain from burning.

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

04/10/2026

It's that time of year again! Help support the Pickens County Fire Chief's Association by ordering a delicious smoked Boston Butt. Orders must be placed by May 15th. On Thursday, May 21st, firefighters from across the county will team up to smoke hundreds of butts. You'll be able to pick up your order the following day, Friday, May 22nd, between 3:00 and 6:00 PM at one of the participating fire stations. Perfect timing for your Memorial Day weekend cookout!

Please consider supporting our local fire chiefs' association.

04/08/2026

‼️ The SC Forestry Commission has released a new Red Flag alert for the state effective on Wednesday, April 8th at 6am

While this is not the same as a burn ban it is still strongly advised to not participate in any outdoor burning until the Red Flag alert is lifted.

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

03/27/2026

‼️‼️ Statewide Burn Ban in effect at 4pm this afternoon. All outdoor burning is prohibited until further notice!

Thank you all for your cooperation.

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

03/24/2026

SC Forestry Commission issuing statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, effective immediately

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, effective immediately until further notice.

The alert is being issued to strongly discourage people from burning outdoors when weather conditions present an elevated risk of wildfire. In addition to drought intensifying from a lack of significant rainfall, forecasts are calling for higher winds, low humidities and no precipitation in the foreseeable future.

A Red Flag Fire Alert does not prohibit outdoor burning, provided that all other state and local regulations are followed, but the Forestry Commission uses the alert to strongly encourage citizens to voluntarily postpone any such burning until the alert is lifted. 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.

“The combination of dangerous conditions and dry fuels we’re going to see statewide for the next several days all add up to an elevated wildfire risk, and any fire that ignites is likely to burn intensely and spread rapidly,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “With this alert, we’re asking people to respect the weather and hold off from burning outdoors until the weather improves. If you have burned recently, we encourage you to monitor the burn area to make sure the dry conditions don’t cause it to rekindle.”

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.

Shareable link:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Advisory-RedFlagFireAlert-260324.pdf

11/27/2025

The Norris Fire Department wishes you a Happy, and safe, Thanksgiving 🍁🦃

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

The Norris Fire Department conducted a scenario-based training exercise last night, focusing on various firefighting concepts, including
- Fire attack
- Structure search
- Mayday situations
- R.I.T.
- Scene size-up
- Incident Command

We extend our appreciation to all members and guests who attended our November training meeting.