Hillcrest Fire Department

05/25/2026

05/21/2026

Tonight we celebrated two of our firefighters who successfully completed the Sandhills Community College High School Fire Academy.

FF Lunn and Junior FF Carlin completed all but one class required to obtain their firefighter certification — a tremendous accomplishment that reflects their dedication, hard work, and commitment to the fire service.

Please join us in congratulating these two on this major milestone. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to watching them continue to grow in the fire service.

05/17/2026

**For Immediate Release**

The Hillcrest Fire Department responded to a reported electrical fire on May 14 at approximately 5:59 a.m.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a light haze of smoke inside the residence. Crews investigated and determined the source to be a 10,000mAh portable cell phone battery charger (power bank) that had caught fire. The lithium battery fire had been extinguished by the occupants prior to fire department arrival. Damage was limited to a bed, carpet, and pillow inside the room.

The battery pack reportedly showed no visible signs of damage or malfunction prior to the incident. At the time of the fire, the power bank was plugged into a multi-port charging block. Two civilians sustained minor injuries.

Multiple agencies were automatically assigned to assist, including Rockfish, Puppy Creek, North Raeford, Stonewall, Tylertown, City of Raeford, and Stoney Point Fire Departments, along with Hoke County Emergency Services, Hoke EMS, and the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office.

We would like to thank our mutual aid partners for their support and assistance during the incident.

This incident serves as an important reminder to regularly inspect lithium battery-powered devices for damage, follow manufacturer charging guidelines, and use only approved charging cords and accessories. Even small lithium batteries can generate significant heat capable of causing a rapidly growing fire.

Media Contact:
Mike Carlin, Captain
Hillcrest Fire Department
[email protected]

05/16/2026

This morning our firefighters spent some time helping a young man celebrate his birthday. We had a great time showing the kids the fire truck and talking with families about the importance of fire prevention and safety.

Opportunities like these allow us to connect with our community. Happy Birthday, and thank you for letting us be part of the celebration!

05/12/2026

Tonight our firefighters trained on search and rescue operations. Focusing on these critical skills helps ensure we’re prepared to quickly and effectively search a structure and safely remove victims when seconds matter most.

Thanks to the strong partnership with Sandhills Community College sandhillscc, our members had the opportunity to train under the guidance of two experienced instructors

05/05/2026

Our firefighters hard at work during our monthly volunteer apparatus and equipment checks. These routine inspections help ensure every tool is in its proper place, fully functional, and ready for service. They also give our firefighters valuable hands-on time to stay familiar and proficient with the equipment they rely on when it matters most.

05/03/2026

05/03/2026

The lifting of the burn ban in 81 counties does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue or lift a burn ban within those 100 feet.

As of 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3, burn permits are available in the counties no longer under the state’s ban on open burning. Residents in those counties can obtain a burn permit from any authorized permitting agent or online at https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits/.

All burn permits granted before the statewide burn ban were canceled when the ban became effective. To legally burn in the counties no longer under the state’s ban, a valid permit must be obtained.

El levantamiento de la prohibición de quemas en 81 condados no se aplica a incendios iniciados a menos de 30 metros de una vivienda ocupada. El jefe local de bomberos tiene autoridad para emitir o levantar una prohibición de quema dentro de esos 100 pies.

A fecha de las 8 a.m. del domingo 3 de mayo, los permisos de quema están disponibles en los condados que ya no están bajo la prohibición estatal de quemar al aire libre. Los residentes de esos condados pueden obtener un permiso de quema a través de cualquier agente autorizado o en línea en https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits/. Todos los permisos de quema concedidos antes de la prohibición estatal fueron cancelados cuando la prohibición entró en vigor. Para quemar legalmente en los condados que ya no están prohibidos por el estado, es necesario obtener un permiso válido.