A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

to request the Department of transportation erect appropriate markers or signs along United States Highway 276 in Greenville County at 35º5'30" N by 82º36' 53" W containing the words "Alamo Cove" to honor the firefighters who COURAGEOUSLY fought to contain and extinguish the persimmon ridge fire.

 

Whereas, on Wednesday March 26, 2025, the Persimmon Ridge fire in the Upstate was an uncontained wildfire. During the South Carolina Forestry Commission's morning briefing, commission officials informed the various firefighting units committed to contain this blaze that humidity would be low, and winds would be gusty in the early afternoon; and

 

Whereas, this was the perfect storm for a wildfire traveling up a mountain. United States Highway 276 in Greenville County heading north towards Caesars Head Mountain was of major concern due to the steep and rough geography of the terrain and, with a fire out of control, it would surely climb the mountain and possibly cause catastrophic damage to homes and property at Cedar Mountain and the Cliff Ridge communities; and

 

Whereas, around 3 P.M., the winds increased, and the fire began to intensify. There were four fire engines, four brush trucks, and firefighting personnel patrolling the north section of United States Highway 276 when the fire began to move rapidly up the mountain, jumping the roadway in several areas. The South Carolina Forestry Commission Supervisor Brad Bramlett called for more personnel and equipment to respond because the fire was starting to overrun firefighters as winds pushed it rapidly up the mountain; and

 

Whereas, soon Commission Supervisor Bramlett stated, we were about to lose the mountain. Every available resource was deployed to this location. The firefighters went to work against a wind-driven fire that insisted upon climbing the mountain. For several hours a total of more than fifty firefighters and twenty-two fire apparatuses worked to contain this fire with the odds stacked against them. The line was held, the fire was extinguished, and homes and other properties were saved; and

 

Whereas, the next day, Commission Supervisor Bramlett, as he sat on the side of the road where firefighters were battling the fire the previous day, remarked that he was naming that spot the Alamo Cove; and

 

Whereas, the firefighting units that worked in a coordinated effort to contain and extinguish this blaze included: River Falls Chief 63; Anderson City Car 1; Newberry Engine 3; Williston Brush 7; Macedonia Engine 11; Fountain Inn Brush 27; Greenwood Brush 70; Clinton Engine 4; Parker Brush 52; Piedmont Park Engine 61A; Laurens City Engine 220; Boiling Springs Engine 12; Abbeville Engine 14A; Dunklin Brush 26; Slater Marietta Tanker 70; Slater UTV 70; River Falls Brush 63; McCormick Brush 1; Crosswell Engine 14-1; Pickens County Squad 15-2; Parker Engine 51 R; and the South Carolina Forestry Commission; and

 

Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to name a location along United States Highway 276 in Greenville County to honor the brave men and women who courageously fought to contain and extinguish the Persimmon Ridge fire. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation erect an appropriate marker or sign along United State Highway 276 in Greenville County at 35º5'30" N by 82º 36' 53" W containing the words "Alamo Cove."

 

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation and be presented to the River Falls Fire Department.

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