25-26/January/2014 – Woods Fires – “B” and “C” shifts 

Multiple Incident Numbers – Dry conditions paired with low humidity and high winds set the stage for several woods fires throughout the county Saturday and Sunday. The largest fire occurred Saturday afternoon 25-January (14-00484) at 14:48 in the Springtown Community starting on Bent Gate Lane and burning north to Augusta Highway. The fire destroyed over 50 acres of timber lands and endangered many homes in the area. Engine 26 and Tender 26 arrived to find a large fast moving woods fire off of Sunrise Road near Bent Gate Lane. They requested a structural assignment, several brush units and Forestry Tractors. The Forestry Commission was already enroute, having received several calls related to the fire. The blaze was driven by 15 to 25 mile per winds. Sixteen Fire Units protected homes along Sunrise Road and Augusta Highway. Sheriff’s Deputies and SC Highway Patrol set up east and west of the fire on Augusta Highway due to heavy smoke conditions and near zero visibility. The Forestry Commission had four tractors, a brush unit and Airplane working the fire. Fire units were on the scene for over four hours. Engine 5, Engine 7, Engine 17, Engine 19, Engine 26, Tender 5, Tender 7, Tender 17, Tender 26, Brush 9, Brush 24, Brush 31, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Battalion Chief Brent Dalton, Captain Mike Rohaus and Firefighter-EMT Ed Augustyn operated the Command Post.  

Larger woods fires also occurred on Pennsylvania Ave in Cottageville,  Burlington Road, Smoaks and Jones Swamp Road Saturday and Sunday.