Caught on camera

Enjoy these photos from January-March, courtesy of our employees around the state!

Southern snow day

Seeing snow in South Carolina is always exciting, and Jan. 31 brought memorable snowfall across the state. Here are some of the pictures that didn’t make it into the last issue of Tree Country.

Public Information Coordinator Michelle Johnson caught the last of the snow at Berry Forestry Center in Ridge Spring as it melted away Feb. 3.
Beaufort ended up getting about three inches of snow, and Beaufort/Jasper Sector Wildland Firefighter Jacob Vandenbosch snapped this awesome photo of a transport and dozer while the snow was falling.
Public Information Coordinator Madeline Stewart captured this photo in Columbia showing a tiny stellar dendrite, a classic, six-branched star-shaped snowflake, which is often called “tree-like” due to their intricate, fern-like side branches.
Snow at HQ in Columbia, courtesy of Construction and Property Manager David Owen.
Snow in Laurens County, courtesy of Abbeville/Greenwood/Laurens Sector Wildland Firefighter Todd Smith.
Snowy railroad track on the bland tract at Manchester State Forest in Wedgefield, courtesy of Clarendon/Sumter Sector Wildland Firefighter Jordan Barnette.
Accounting Technician Julie Leary’s grandson, Blaise, had a fun snow day in Lexington County!
Accounting Technician Julie Leary’s granddaughter, Harper, also enjoyed the snow in Lexington County!
Clarendon/Sumter Sector Wildland Firefighter Jordan Barnette’s dozer and transport covered in snow at Manchester State Forest in Wedgefield.
Cainhoy Fire

Coastal Firewise Field Coordinator Wade Truesdale filmed these videos showing our contracted Fire Boss SEATs (single engine air tankers) while on the 572-acre Cainhoy Fire in Berkeley County March 11.

On the ground

Public Information Coordinator Madeline Stewart got this detailed close-up picture of an old sawtooth oak acorn top surrounded by moss at Harbison State Forest Feb. 18.

In the sky

SCFC Pilot Jimmy Tobias snapped some aerial pictures of a Hampton County wildfire while Coastal Regional Forester Pete Stuckey, Beaufort/Jasper Sector Fire Management Officer (FMO) Scotty Harrington, Hampton County Project Forester Trayton Hill, Allendale/Hampton/Jasper Sector Wildland Firefighter Lowell Parnell and Beaufort/Jasper Sector Wildland Firefighters Daniel Lowther and Cade Smith worked on the ground.

The March 11 fire totaled 518 acres.

Hard at work

Public Information Coordinator Michelle Johnson snapped photos as mechanics Robert Johnson (left) and Travis Huff repair a dozer track.

Fox squirrel at Headquarters

Forest Management Administrative Assistant Kathy Joshi captured pictures of one of the fox squirrels at headquarters in Columbia. The Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is the largest tree squirrel in North America, typically measuring 17 to 28 inches in total length—including a 7 to 14-inch tail—and weighing between 1 and 3 pounds. Here are more fun facts about these interesting critters!

Calore completes Polar Plunge


Assistant Law Enforcement Chief Jonathan Calore is the lead organizer for the Langley Pond Polar Plunge in Aiken. The SCFC hosted the event that benefits the Special Olympics, and Jonathan took the plunge Sunday, March 1. This event is one of 12 that the Law Enforcement Torch Run hosts to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics and support the more than 30,700 athletes in South Carolina. 

  • Aiken Parks and Rec presents a plaque.
  • Jonathan (left) talks to a local news reporter about the event.
  • IMT Coordinator Andy Johnson dressed up as a polar bear for the event!
  • Jonathan said the event had a great turnout this year.
An evening out

HR Manager Erica Brazile and her husband, Kevin (right), attended An Evening to Celebrate! with President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (center) in Columbia Feb. 27.

Event organizers say the reception commemorated Biden’s 2020 South Carolina primary win and allowed attendees to thank him for a lifetime of public service.

Calore carries the torch!


Assistant Law Enforcement Chief Jonathan Calore escorted the Flame of Hope during the Law Enforcement Torch Run. This event kicked off the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Spring Games for Lexington-Richland 5 at Irmo High School March 31. He was joined by runners from the Irmo Police Department, SC Law Enforcement Division and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Calore (right) carried the Flame of Hope.
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