Cowpens Fire Department

05/18/2026

The Cowpens Fire Department was privileged to host a Heavy Vehicle Rescue Class this past weekend. Several members of our department were joined by firefighters from local departments as well as from across the country, putting in three long days of intensive learning. The class included lecture, hands on skills to include tool labs, followed by various lifting techniques, and concluded on the last day with a very large and complex scenario. Expert level instruction was delivered by Training to Perform Under Pressure. Funding for the training was sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation. Spartanburg’s own Revelation Towing Inc. hosted the practical training site, where Jeff Jolley and his expert crew set up scenarios, supplied logistics, offered their own expertise, and trained alongside firefighters. Rays Recycling Service of Cowpens donated and transported nearly fifteen passenger vehicles to support the training. The Cowpens Fire Department would also like to extend a thank you to both Duncan Fire Department and Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department, who supported the training with both manpower and significant amounts of equipment. These training adventures are quite taxing to pull off, but the relationships built between departments as well as with the heavy tow industry have already proven time and time again to be invaluable, and civilian lives have been saved because of such efforts. We appreciate all the participation and dedication by the fire service and tow service members, and would hope to have these top notch instructors back down for training once again.

05/15/2026

UPDATE: Fire crews have cleared but utility crews remain on scene working in the area. Please use caution and slow down traveling through.

Our crews and utility crews are currently working at Love Springs road and Sharcliff road, please avoid the area. Sharcliff is shut down at Love Springs road, Please use alternate route to access Sharcliff road. If traveling Love Springs road, please slow down when going through the area where crew continue to work. Thank you!

05/10/2026

At Cowpens, we rely heavily on volunteers to supplement our staff. Pictured here are three of those volunteers representing our brand at a local 5K this weekend. Thank you, guys, for staying sharp.

05/02/2026

Cowpens Fire Department is very pleased to announce that we were one of the fire departments selected to receive a 2026 V-SAFE Grant. The grant will be used to further our work in helping to serve our community. Thank you to South Carolina State Fire for this opportunity.

2026 V-SAFE Grant Awards Announced! For more information: https://bit.ly/424nLwr

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

03/27/2026

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

03/24/2026

03/21/2026

Come out and Support these young guys D3! Estimating 5pm today!

03/16/2026

⚠️ SEVERE WEATHER POSSIBLE TOMORROW MORNING

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts Today

Spartanburg County residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts before severe weather arrives.

Severe thunderstorm warnings can quickly lead to tornado warnings.
Receiving alerts quickly can give you valuable time to take action.

✅ Register for emergency alerts:
https://member.everbridge.net/index/2939548631826447

🏠 Have a Severe Weather Plan
• Know the safest place in your home
• Make sure your family knows what to do
• Stay informed during severe weather

Preparedness before the storm can make all the difference.

Stay safe Spartanburg County!