Buford Fire & Rescue

Be weather aware this evening.

Conditions late this afternoon could bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and a brief isolated tornado. Stay connected to trusted weather sources and have a way to be notified of severe weather at night.

Bring on the rain!

Graphics:

Happy Birthday US Army!

Yep, it's hot! Be safe and stay hydrated.

Remembering those who gave their lives in battle. They are why we are a free people.

Congratulations Clay!

𝐈𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐦:
𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 "𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞" 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞

Today, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of Master Deputy Michael “Mike” Hirtle, who passed away yesterday morning.

As we begin National Police Week, we pause to honor not only an incredible law enforcement career, but an incredible man who dedicated nearly 25 years of his life to serving the people of Lancaster County.

Master Deputy Hirtle began his law enforcement career with Mecklenburg County, where he served for three years, followed by 18 years with the Lancaster City Police Department, and six and a half years with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, where he faithfully completed his journey in law enforcement. This December would have marked 25 years of dedicated service.

Throughout his career, Mike built a reputation that went far beyond the badge he wore every day. He was the definition of “Protect and Serve.”

Mike Hirtle was the kind of person who made you feel like family the moment you met him. It didn’t matter if he had known you for years or just minutes, he greeted everyone with a warm smile, a hug, and a servant’s heart. He genuinely cared about people.

He was the deputy who volunteered to take one more report even when his shift was ending. The friend who would give you the shirt off his back. The man who quietly paid for lunches, helped those struggling financially, and even stepped in to help community members keep a roof over their heads. His acts of kindness were never done for recognition. They were simply who he was.

Mike loved this community, and he loved his brothers and sisters in law enforcement, but most of all, he loved serving others. His impact on Lancaster County cannot be measured by arrests made or calls answered alone, but by the countless lives he touched through compassion, generosity, and selflessness.

More than anything, Mike was a living example of our action statement: “Use all interactions as opportunities to serve, leaving a positive impression.” He embodied those words every single day through the way he treated people, cared for his community, and served alongside his fellow deputies. The legacy he leaves behind is not only one we will remember, but one we will carry forward each and every day.

Today, we grieve alongside his family, friends, fellow deputies, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. We also celebrate a life of service that left a lasting mark on Lancaster County.

Master Deputy Michael “Mike” Hirtle was more than a law enforcement officer. He was a servant, a friend, and a light to so many.

Please continue to keep the Hirtle family and our entire law enforcement family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

‼️‼️‼️⚠️⚠️⚠️SCFC to lift burning ban for all counties Friday: Officials urge vigilance while burning outdoors as drought conditions persist

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission will lift the State Forester's Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 7 a.m., Friday, May 1.

Agency officials believe the combination of rain, elevated relative humidity, improved overnight recovery and a lack of significant wind in the forecast warrant removing all remaining counties from outdoor burning restrictions.

“Many areas of the state have seen rainfall this week, and higher relative humidity and fuel moisture continue to mitigate significant fire potential,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “Though we expect even more rain across more of the state in the next week, people who choose to burn outdoors should still exercise vigilance as the rain we have received has not changed the state’s drought status.”

Shareable release:

www.scfc.gov

‼️‼️‼️⚠️⚠️⚠️
From the The South Carolina Forestry Commission
Please remember as these burn bans are being lifted around us to stay vigilant and refrain from burning until the Forestry commission says it’s safe in our area to do so. Thank you for your continued cooperation during this time.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14VjXocUgE8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

SCFC to lift burning ban for 7 more counties Thursday

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission will lift the State Forester's Burning Ban for an additional seven counties, effective at 7 a.m., Thursday, April 30.

Agency officials believe the combination of rain and elevated relative humidity stretching from the Midlands to the Upstate warrant removing Edgefield, Fairfield, Newberry, Lexington, McCormick, Richland and Saluda counties from outdoor burning restrictions.

Twenty-seven counties remain subject to the ban, however, highlighting the elevated fire danger that remains in a majority of the state (see map at right).

“We’re seeing relative humidities increase across the state each day as well as good RH recovery overnight, which raises the moisture level in finer forest fuels,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “Sustained winds and gusts are lower too, and the prospect of even more rain across greater portions of the state over the next week could help us get out of what has been an extended period of fire danger this year.”

Citizens who may plan to conduct outdoor burning of residential yard debris or prescribed burns in counties not subject to the burning ban must still notify the Forestry Commission before doing so:

Residential yard debris burning
State law requires citizens who live in unincorporated areas to notify the Forestry Commission before burning outdoors. In most cases, the law applies to burning leaves, limbs and branches that people clean up from their yards. Citizens who do live in city/town limits must still abide by any burning ordinances in their local jurisdictions.
Citizens can make notification online by visiting scfc.gov/notify or by calling the toll-free notification number for the county in which they live, found here: scfc.gov/protection/fire-burning/how-to-notify/.

Prescribed burning
State law requires that you notify the Forestry Commission before burning for forestry, wildlife management or agricultural purposes. This includes burning for wildfire hazard reduction, brush control, endangered species management, wildlife habitat improvement, plant disease control, crop residue removal and preparation of land for planting trees or agricultural crops. All burning for forestry, wildlife and agriculture must comply with SC Smoke Management Guidelines. To make notification, regardless of county, please call (800) 777-3473.

Shareable release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-BurningBanToBeLiftedForPiedmontCounties-20260429.pdf

‼️‼️‼️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ urgent release from the The South Carolina Forestry Commission