Olanta Fire Rescue

04/17/2026

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

02/15/2026

02/08/2026

Olanta Fire Rescue members completed their annual live fire training today. Members refreshed and trained on several skills to include hose advancement, search and rescue, radio communication, apparatus placement, and accountability of firefighters operating on a scene.

01/24/2026

FloCo! As this potential winter weather event moves closer, now is the time to make your final preparations. Along with the bread, batteries, and blankets, do you have the right numbers saved in your phone for whom to call if the power goes out or a tree comes down across the roadway?

⚠️ Reminder: If you see a downed power line, treat it like it’s LIVE. Do not touch it, do not drive over it, and keep others away.

Let’s stay ready, FloCo. A little prep now can save a whole lot of stress later.

01/11/2026

FORESTRY COMMISSION ISSUING RED FLAG FIRE ALERT FOR 33 COUNTIES SUNDAY

The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a Red Flag Fire Alert for 33 counties across the Midlands, P*e Dee and coastal regions of the state, effective at 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11.

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. Land managers who are considering conducting prescribed burns should take extra care if they still choose to burn under a Red Flag.

The alert is being issued to discourage people from burning outdoors when weather conditions present an elevated risk of wildfire. In addition to dry fuels resulting from the lack of significant rain, forecasts are calling for very low relative humidity – below 25% – and gusty winds across much of the state tomorrow.

Counties excluded from the Red Flag Fire Alert have received what Forestry Commission officials believe is sufficient rainfall to avoid an abundance of wildfire ignitions. They include Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union and York.

“The combination of dangerous conditions we’re going to see in the affected areas tomorrow are the classic ingredients for elevated wildfire risk, and they’re going to be vulnerable to fires that can escape easily 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.”

While portions of the mountains and Piedmont have received minimal rainfall this week, fuels are already very dry in some areas. Low relative humidity and high wind speeds contribute greatly to wildfire risk. while rain wets fuels, fine surface fuels dry rapidly under low humidity and strong winds creating high fire danger.

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/2026/01/Advisory-RedFlagFireAlert-20260110b.pdf

12/07/2025

Olanta Fire Rescue hosted its annual Christmas party and awards ceremony Saturday. We are thankful for everyone who attended to celebrate Christmas as well as the dedication each member contributes each year and the sacrifices their family’s make while they help those in need. Congratulations to the members below on earning your awards.

Fire Officer of the Year 2025:
Lieutenant-Glenn Hood

Firefighter of the Year 2025:
Senior Firefighter- Matt Jordan

Support Firefighter of the Year 2025:
Support Firefighter- Billy Cusaac

Staff Firefighter of the Year 2025:
Senior Firefighter- Tracy Benenhaley

Training Award 2025:
Firefighter- Troy Cameron

The last award recognized was for the members who gave their time to help other communities in the state on large scale incidents this year. Some spent multiple days away from their family’s to help those in need. The following members received this award.

Firefighter- Troy Cameron
Senior Firefighter- Darius Brown
Firefighter- Brandon McGee
Senior Firefighter- Matt Jordan
Firefighter- Tyler Miller
Senior Firefighter- Brad Welch
Firefighter- Joey Floyd
Lieutenant- Jason Floyd
Lieutenant- Preston Moses
Captain- Hunter Cockerill
Firefighter- Taylor McCrea
Senior Firefighter- Seveon Boone
Firefighter- Jason Floyd Jr
Lieutenant- Glenn Hood
Firefighter- Jackie Jordan
Firefighter- Detric Floyd
Chief- Mark Floyd

11/22/2025

Olanta Fire Rescue Station #2 is in service and ready to serve the community and citizens of Florence County.

11/12/2025

Olanta Fire Rescue members ended this past training with a competitive nine tire drill. Members competed for the fastest time during this drill intended to sharpen their searching skills.

11/06/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two-Vehicle Collision with Entrapment – Sumter County

Lynchburg, S.C. — November 5, 2025 — Olanta Fire Rescue units responded as mutual aid to the Sumter County Fire Department for a two-vehicle collision with entrapment. Upon arrival, crews assisted in the extrication of one patient who was trapped inside a vehicle. Due to the severity and number of injuries, two medical helicopters were requested to the scene for patient transport.

The collision resulted in the temporary closure of the highway near Narrow Paved Road and Amwell Church Road in Lynchburg.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Emergency Medical Services personnel, and troopers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol also responded and remained on scene assisting with the incident.

Olanta Fire Rescue

Photo Credit: Sumter County Sheriff’s Office