On Sunday, October 22, 2023 around 1:40pm the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a brush fire call on Russell Brothers Road near Nikki Street in the Sunset Bay area of Sharps Chapel.
Rescue 51 arrived on the scene to find that the homeowner had obtained a burning permit to burn some debris on his property, but the wind had caught up and caused the fire to get out of control.
The fire was contained by SCVFD and the State Forestry Division was called out to put in a safety line around the burned area to make sure the fire did not pose any further threat. Approximately 1 acre of area reported to be burned.
Chief Upton said even though burn permits were being issued currently by the State, He urges the citizens within the Sharps Chapel area to refrain from doing any outdoor burning at this time, due to the very dry and drought like conditions were are currently experiencing. Upton said ” If we do not receive any substantial rainfall soon, he would expect the State will put a burn ban in place.”