The South Roane County Volunteer Fire Department has wrapped up the first quarter of the year, noting that while overall call volume has remained fairly steady, a striking 54.77% of their calls were fire-related. This includes structure fires, brush and wildland fires, vehicle fires, and other incidents, meaning more than half of their emergency responses involved fires.

As spring arrives and outdoor burning increases amid potentially dry conditions, the department is reminding residents that fire risk remains high. They advise burning smart by keeping burn piles manageable, avoiding burning on windy days, and always having a water source nearby. They also encourage everyone to check their smoke detectors to ensure they are working, as early warning can be critical in an emergency.

The department emphasizes that prevention plays a key role in reducing calls, and they hope to see those numbers trend downward. They wish the community in South Roane County a safe season ahead.