Red Flag Fire Alert issued statewide due to gusty winds

IN TIME FOR NEWS TO GO. WE HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES, TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. WE START WITH SEVERAL BREAKING NEWS UPDATES IN ANDERSON COUNTY. THE CORONER SAYS A BODY WAS FOUND IN A CREEK ON A STREET IN ANDERSON. HE SAYS THE BODY WAS FOUND BY TWO PEOPLE WALKING IN THE AREA AROUND 730 LAST NIGHT. THE CORONER SAYS BASED ON DECOMPOSITION OF THE BODY, IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO IDENTIFY THEM AS WELL AS A CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE VICTIM DOES APPEAR TO BE A FEMALE. THE ANDERSON COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED A VICTIM IN A MOBILE HOME FIRE. THE CORONER SAYS THEY WERE CALLED TO ROSS STREET IN PIEDMONT LAST NIGHT AROUND 8:00. 61 YEAR OLD DONNA DAVIS WAS FOUND LAYING IN THE DOORWAY OF THE MOBILE HOME AS FIREFIGHTERS WERE EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES. THE CORONER’S OFFICE AND THE ANDERSON COUNTY FIRE AND ARSON UNIT ARE INVESTIGATING. WELL, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO SIGN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY CALLING FOR THE CLOSURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL TELLS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE FEDERAL AGENCY IS WASTEFUL, BUT CRITICS FEAR DOWNSIZING THE AGENCY WILL JEOPARDIZE CRITICAL PROGRAMS. JACKIE DEFUSCO REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. ERIN DESTINY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO SIGNAL HIS INTENTION TO GET RID OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHICH IS A LONG STANDING CAMPAIGN PROMISE, BUT HE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH WITHOUT CONGRESS. HIS OWN EDUCATION SECRETARY, LINDA MCMAHON, ACKNOWLEDGED AS MUCH DURING HER RECENT SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING, BUT THE PRESIDENT’S ORDER WOULD DIRECT MCMAHON, TO, QUOTE, TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO FACILITATE THE CLOSURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND RETURN EDUCATION AUTHORITY TO THE STATES, WHILE CONTINUING TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE AND UNINTERRUPTED DELIVERY OF SERVICES, PROGRAMS AND BENEFITS ON WHICH AMERICANS RELY. ACCORDING TO A WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET. NOW, THE VAST MAJORITY OF EDUCATION FUNDING AND POLICY IS ALREADY CONTROLLED AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL, BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES OVERSEE SOME KEY FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING STUDENT LOANS, SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT IN SCHOOLS, AND THE AGENCY’S CIVIL RIGHTS BRANCH, IN FACT, IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS THAT HAS ALREADY SEEN SIGNIFICANT WORKFORCE REDUCTIONS, EVEN AS THE PRESIDENT RELIES ON THAT OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE DEI INITIATIVES AND ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF HIS BAN ON TRANSGENDER ATHLETES IN WOMEN’S SPORTS. OVERALL, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY SEEN ROUGHLY HALF OF ITS STAFF CUT JUST SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK OFFICE. BETWEEN VOLUNTARY BUYOUTS AND MASS LAYOFFS. THOSE MASS LAYOFFS CURRENTLY BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT BY A GROUP OF DEMOCRAT LED STATES. REPORTING AT THE WHITE HOUSE. I’M JACKIE DEFUSCO WIFE. NEWS FOUR. ALL RIGHT, JACKIE, THANKS. CONGRESS CREATED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN 1979 WITH AN ACT SIGNED INTO LAW BY THEN-PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER. THE AGENCY HAS SURVIVED DESPITE SEVERAL EFFORTS FROM CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS TO GET RID OF IT. EDUCATION IS A MAJOR FOCUS FOR NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR JOSH STEIN, WHO RECENTLY RELEASED HIS PROPOSED BUDGET. THE $33.6 BILLION SPENDING PLAN WOULD BEGIN JULY 1ST AND GO THROUGH JUNE OF 2027. HE’S CALLING FOR FREE BREAKFAST FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, FUNDING NEW APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. A 10.6% AVERAGE WAGE FOR TEACHERS AND TAX CREDITS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WHO NEED HELP WITH CHILD CARE, AMONG OTHER INITIATIVES. LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO REVIEW THE PROPOSAL TOMORROW DURING A JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING. HUMANS AND OTHER PRIMATES ARE WIRED TO LIKE CHANTS AND TO BE ATTRACTED BY IT. THE FIRST ROUND OF MARCH MADNESS TIPS OFF TODAY. AND WHILE GAMBLING MAY SEEM LIKE HARMLESS FUN, IT CAN QUICKLY BECOME ADDICTING. DOCTORS SAY CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING SITES USE ALL KINDS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TACTICS TO LURE PEOPLE IN AND KEEP THEM SPENDING MONEY. THEY SAY CERTAIN GROUPS MAY BE MORE VULNERABLE, INCLUDING YOUNG ADULTS. THE NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE IS RIGHT THERE ON YOUR SCREEN. ONE 800 GAMBLER. YOU CAN CALL THAT IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. WELL, IT’S 648 AND WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ONE WEEK FROM TODAY FOR WYFF NEWS FOUR’S LATEST HOUR LONG SPECIAL, CHRONICLE STATE OF ADDICTION. IT WILL EXAMINE THE USE OF FENTANYL AND OTHER DRUGS AND WILL SHOW HOW DOCTORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NONPROFITS ARE WORKING TO PREVENT THE MISUSE OF THESE DRUGS. WE’LL ALSO DISCUSS HELP FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME ADDICTED AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR A DOCTOR OR A GROUP THAT PROVIDES HELP, LET US KNOW. YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO WEB AT WYFF4.COM AND PUT CHRONICLE QUESTION IN THE SUBJECT LINE. CHRONICLE STATE OF ADDICTION AIRS LIVE WITH THOSE ANSWERS RIGHT HERE ON WYFF4.COM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 27TH AT EIGHT. THIS WEEK, YOU MAY SEE MORE K9 SNIFFING AROUND THE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BUT OFFICIALS SAY IT’S NO REASON TO WORRY. IT’S PART OF THEIR TRAINING. OUR ISABELLE MARAK IS JOINING US LIVE FROM GSP WITH MORE ABOUT THIS ISABELLE. GOOD MORNING. HEY ERIN AND DUSTY, GOOD MORNING. IT MIGHT BE A QUESTION ON EVERYBODY’S MIND SEEING THESE DOGS, AND THERE MIGHT BE WONDERING WHAT THE DOG DOING. WELL, AIRPORTS HAVE INVITED EVERY TWO YEARS THEY’VE INVITED HANDLERS AND THEIR CANINES TO COME OUT AND SNIFF FOR EXPLOSIVES IN REAL TIME, BUT WITHOUT ANY REAL PRESSURE. THAT WAY THEY’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO IF THEY ENCOUNTER AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IN TOTAL, THERE’S 30 CANINE UNITS WITH NEWER AND OLDER HANDLERS PARTICIPATING IN. THE TRAINING INCLUDES HAVING THE DOGS DETECT POSSIBLE EXPLOSIVES AND SUITCASES, CARS, AND IN DARK BUILDINGS. THE AIRPORT SAYS THERE’S ONE EXPLOSIVE CANINE ALREADY AT THE AIRPORT. HIS NAME IS ALFRED, BUT THEY SAY HAVING A COUPLE OTHER CANINES PRACTICE HERE AT THE AIRPORT ENSURES THAT ALFRED HAS A LITTLE BIT OF BACKUP IF HE EVER NEEDS IT. REPORTING LIVE AT GSP ISABELLE MARAK WITH NEWS FOUR. THANK YOU. ISABELLE. HEY GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF RAINFALL STARTING TO HEAD INTO THE AREA. TEMPERATURES BY THE WAY IN THE UPPER 50S TO RIGHT AROUND 60 DEGREES. FRANKLIN CULLOWHEE. PICKING UP ON A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN. HELEN, GEORGIA PUSHING INTO TOCCOA. HEADING YOUR WAY AS WELL. A FEW VERY ISOLATED SPRINKLES RIGHT NOW. WAYNESVILLE. YOU’RE ABOUT TO GET SOME RAINFALL, AS IS CASHIERS AND EVENTUALLY MAKING ITS WAY INTO ASHEVILLE, HENDERSONVILLE AND PARTS OF THE UPSTATE. BUT AGAIN, MOST OF US TODAY REALLY WILL STAY DRY. THIS WILL BE MAINLY A MORNING EVENT WITH THOSE ISOLATED SHOWERS WILL CLEAR OUT AFTER LUNCH RIGHT AROUND OR AFTER LUNCH, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE. BUT THOSE WINDS BEGIN TO CRANK. IN FACT, THE FARTHER INTO THE AFTERNOON WE GO, THE STRONGER THOSE GUSTS WILL BE. SO IF YOU DO WORK OUTDOORS, MAYBE YOU’RE HOPING TO, YOU KNOW, GET OUT THERE AND MOW THE LAWN TODAY. TOMORROW WILL BE A MUCH BETTER DAY IF YOU CAN PUT IT OFF. HEY, LOOK AT THAT. IT’S ALSO GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER TODAY, TOPPING OUT ONLY IN THE 50S FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT TOMORROW. AND OF COURSE THE REST OF THE WEEK. AND NEVER TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT THAT. I’LL HAVE THE LATEST WITH YOUR FOUR DAY PLUS IN ABOUT 6 OR 7 MINUTES FROM RIGHT NOW. FIRST, THOUGH, LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE. GET A CHECK ON THE ROADS, HOUSE TRAFFIC, LOOK AT VICTORIA STARTING TO SEE MORE CARS OUT THERE. PARELLA AND THANKFULLY ROADS, JESSE SAID. STAYING DRY FOR THE MOMENT, BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE A BIT OF A BACKUP NOW. THIS IS NEAR HIGHWAY 101 ON 85. IT WAS A STOP AND GO JUST MOMENTS AGO. NOW IT IS MOVING, BUT AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR MAPS HERE, IT LOOKS LIKE AS WE HEAD IN THAT NORTHBOUND LANE ON 85, HEADING UP TOWARDS HIGHWAY 101, WE ARE SEEING A BIT OF A SLOWDOWN. THE CLOSER WE GET TOWARDS HIGHWAY 14. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VICTORIA. WE’RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS AS WELL. AT 651 ON YOUR THURSDAY MORNING, THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES ARE CELEBRATING A CENTURY ALL YEAR LONG. THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE ROCKETTES IS SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. BUT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL HAS ALWAYS BEEN HOME. EVER SINCE THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR SHOW PREMIERED ALL THE WAY BACK IN 1933. AND FOR THOSE WHO DREAM OF JOINING THE KICKLINE, THE ROCKETTES ARE EXPANDING THEIR DANCER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT KICKS OFF WITH OPEN CALL AUDITIONS ON APRIL 22ND. WHETHER IT’S YOUR FIRST YEAR OR YOUR 20TH YEAR, THERE’S SOMETHING SO SPECIAL ABOUT BEING A RADIO CITY ROCKETTES, AND I THINK THAT’S WHY WE SORT OF STICK AROUND SO LONG. THE DANCE COMPANY IS INVITING ALL FORMER ROCKETTES TO JOIN THE ROCKETTES LEGACY, AND ALSO TO SHARE THEIR STORY. I LOVE SEEING THE KICK LINE. I FEEL LIKE I CAN DO IT, AND THEN I END UP WAKING UP THE NEXT MORNING WITH AN INJURY. ALL RIGHT, WELL, THE LINEUP IS OUT FOR ONE OF CHICAGO’S SIGNATURE MUSIC FESTS. THE HEADLINERS FOR LOLLAPALOOZA 2025 INCLUDE OLIVIA RODRIGO, TYLER, THE CREATOR, SABRINA CARPENTER, LUKE COMBS, ASAP ROCKY AND GRACIE ABRAMS. PRESALE TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS MORNING. THE FESTIVAL TYPICALLY ATTRACTS NEARLY HALF A MILLION PEOPLE TO CHICAGO’S GRANT PARK EVERY SUMMER. THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL RUNS FROM JULY 31ST TO AUGUST 3RD. JAMES TAYLOR’S CLASSIC SONGS ARE HEADED TO THE STAGE. FIRE AND RAIN, A NEW MUSICAL FEATURING THE ICONIC SINGER SONGWRITER’S CATALOG, IS BEING DEVELOPED BY PULITZER PRIZE AND TONY WINNING AUTHOR TRACY LETTS, WITH TONY WINNER DAVID CROMER SET TO DIRECT. AND COMING UP NEXT ON WYFF NEWS FOUR TODAY, WE’LL HAVE ONE LAST LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER AND YOUR TRAFFIC AS WELL. ASAP, ASAP ROCKY. YOU KNOW HE’S GOT TO BE THERE RIGHT AWAY. YOU KNOW, WE’LL TELL YOU ALL ABOU

Red Flag Fire Alert issued statewide due to gusty winds

The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a Red Flag Fire Alert on Thursday.

Updated: 1:14 PM EDT Mar 20, 2025

The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert on Thursday afternoon.The Commission said the alert is in place until further notice and plans to reevaluate these conditions Sunday.More News: Local woman charged after what detectives find in her shed, homeThe alert is being issued to strongly discourage people from burning outdoors when weather conditions present an elevated risk of wildfire.A cold front moving across the state Thursday will usher in a low relative humidity throughout the weekend, accompanied by sustained periods of gusty winds. While some areas may receive rain today, the expected amounts of rainfall will not be significant enough to remediate already-dry fuels on the ground over much of the state. 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.”The dramatic uptick in wildfires across the state over the last two months were in large part the result of exactly these typical springtime weather patterns,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. More News: Body found in Upstate creek, coroner saysSCFC firefighters responded to 280 wildfires in February alone, above the five-year average for the second month of the year. The agency has already recorded 277 wildfires in March.Historically, wildfire occurrence in South Carolina is greater in March than in any other month.

COLUMBIA, S.C. —

The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert on Thursday afternoon.

The Commission said the alert is in place until further notice and plans to reevaluate these conditions Sunday.

More News: Local woman charged after what detectives find in her shed, home

The alert is being issued to strongly discourage people from burning outdoors when weather conditions present an elevated risk of wildfire.

A cold front moving across the state Thursday will usher in a low relative humidity throughout the weekend, accompanied by sustained periods of gusty winds. While some areas may receive rain today, the expected amounts of rainfall will not be significant enough to remediate already-dry fuels on the ground over much of the state.

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.

“The dramatic uptick in wildfires across the state over the last two months were in large part the result of exactly these typical springtime weather patterns,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones.

More News: Body found in Upstate creek, coroner says

SCFC firefighters responded to 280 wildfires in February alone, above the five-year average for the second month of the year. The agency has already recorded 277 wildfires in March.

Historically, wildfire occurrence in South Carolina is greater in March than in any other month.