Station 27 is the home station for the Horry County Fire Rescue Wildfire Team.  The concept for a wildfire team began in 1987.  In order to improve safety and effectiveness during the suppression of vegetation fires, it was recognized that a special team be formed whose training would exceed the departments general level of wildland fire training.

The Team currently consists of personnel with various expertise, some of them bringing previous WUI experience from the western United States.  Team members are trained to meet or exceed standards set by the South Carolina Forestry Commission.  The main purpose of the team is to provide an increased level of skill and safety to the overall wildland fire incidents within the county.  The Team is currently operating with nine (9) brush units, one (1) support vehicle, two (2) ATV's for wildland search and rescue, a saw crew for fire and severe weather details, and a crew of Red Card firefighters to assist with backfires and tractor plow support with the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Training is one of our teams biggest priorities.  We feel that the more our personnel are trained, the better service we can provide to the citizens of our county.  The Team members have traveled to different academies across the southeast to gain skills in more advanced classes such as saws, portable pumps, helitack operations and wildland engine operations.  As with most departments, the busy time of year is winter for brush fires.  During these months, Horry County Fire Rescue averages 6 - 10 brush fires per day.  These are handled by each station and the brush trucks and Wildfire Team members that are scattered throughout the county. 

TOP FIRES IN HORRY COUNTY HISTORY

1954 - Bombing Range Fire - 10,162 acres
1967 - Longs Crossroads Fire - 1,200acres
1967 - Buist Track Fire - 6,005 acres
1967 - Socastee Plantation Fire - 6,005 acres
1976 - Horry County Fire - 30,000 acres "Largest Fire In SC History"
1981 - Gunters Island Fire - 1,269 acres
1981 - Cotton Patch Fire - 2,500 acres
    1981 - Most Wildfires ever reported in SC History
1985 - Brown Bay Fire - 3,000 acres
1985 - Bayboro Fire - 2,000 acres
    1985 - Most Wildfires ever reported in 1 month in SC - 3,724 March 1985
1996 - Legends Fire - 1,100 acres
2001 - Long Bay Fire - 1,290 acres
2002 - Legends Fire - 1,800
2005 - Avalon Fire - 118 acres
2008 - Mt. Pisgah Fire - 241 acres