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Chief urges residents to sign up for alert system, use chipper program as fire danger rises
Summary
With fire danger increasing to "high," the wildfire chief told council crews and equipment are prepositioned, federal hand crews have been staged nearby, and residents should sign up for the town's SC Alert, prepare an evacuation kit and leave early if ordered.
The town's wildfire chief briefed council on June 9 about rising fire danger and readiness actions as conditions moved into the high range.
The chief said weather is trending toward warm, dry and windy conditions that can rapidly increase fire risk and explained that federal agencies have prepositioned hand crews and aerial resources in the broader region. "We're getting ready for it... we're going to move up to high this week," the chief told council, adding that crews are staffed and equipment is in service.
From a public-preparedness perspective the chief urged residents to sign up for SC Alert and offered short, practical evacuation advice: keep a chipper pile program going to reduce fuels, assemble a small "go" bag of essentials (cell phone, charger, ID, a small change of clothes and water), and evacuate early rather than waiting for last-minute orders. "First, sign up for SC Alert... make a list of what's actually important to bring with you," the chief said.
Council also discussed possible stage-two fire restrictions and the mechanics of private businesses (grocery/retail) covering or moving wood displays during restrictions. Staff said county and state partners are coordinating restriction decisions and private business compliance is part of a multi-party conversation.
What to watch: staff said they are meeting frequently (twice weekly or more) while conditions remain volatile and will return quickly with recommendations on whether to impose local restrictions. The town is also working to promote evacuation-route planning and roadway-capacity analysis, which will inform timing and messaging if restrictions or evacuation orders are necessary.
