Heating is the second leading cause of home fires, especially during colder months when heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces are used more often. Many of these fires start because heating equipment is placed too close to things that can burn—like furniture, curtains, or blankets—or because units aren’t properly maintained.![]()
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To stay safe, always keep at least three feet of space around heaters, have your heating systems inspected and serviced regularly, and never use ovens or grills to heat your home. Make sure space heaters are turned off when you leave the room or go to bed, and always check that smoke alarms are working.![]()
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A little extra caution can make a big difference in keeping your home and family safe.
🔥Although the Red Flag Burn Alert has been lifted, we still urge everyone to use extreme caution when burning outdoors. Over the weekend, our crews responded to multiple fires, reminding us how quickly conditions can change and fires can spread.![]()
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If you plan to burn, please be sure to:![]()
• Have a water source or other means nearby to fully extinguish the fire![]()
• Never leave a fire unattended![]()
• Call Forestry to obtain a burn number before burning![]()
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Taking these simple steps helps protect lives, property, and our community. Thank you for doing your part to stay fire safe.![]()
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For more information on outdoor burning, visit the The South Carolina Forestry Commission on Facebook or the link below. ![]()
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Fire & Burning – South Carolina Forestry Commission
www.scfc.gov
Our mission is to protect, promote, and enhance South Carolina’s forests for the benefit of all.
NOTICE: A Red Flag Burn Alert is currently in effect. 🚩🚩![]()
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UPDATED 8:57pm All Clarendon Fire Rescue units are clear at this time. Units will continue to monitor the area. ![]()
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UPDATED 8:10 pm SC Forestry Commission has secured a break around the fire at this time and it is under control. Units will remain on scene to assist the power company due to lines down. All lanes of Moses Dingle Rd is now open. ![]()
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Clarendon County Fire Rescue units are on scene of a large woods fire located on Moses Dingle Rd. The roadway will remain closed between Joseph Lemon & Dingle Rd and Bump Rd until the fire is under control with the assistance from SC Forestry Commission units.
🚒🚫🔥 RED FLAG ALERT ISSUED INCLUDING CLARENDON COUNTYFORESTRY COMMISSION ISSUING RED FLAG FIRE ALERT FOR 33 COUNTIES SUNDAY![]()
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The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a Red Flag Fire Alert for 33 counties across the Midlands, Pee Dee and coastal regions of the state, effective at 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11.![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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“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.”![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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Shareable link: www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Advisory-RedFlagFireAlert-20260110b.pdf
Applications can be picked up in the Clarendon County Human Resources office, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or you can visit our website for an application request. (www.clarendonfirerescue.com)
December 2025 Incidents
48
Fires
562
Medical
24
Vehicle Accidents/Rescue
47