Wingate Volunteer Fire Department

We have started our training burn this morning. Please use caution when traveling on Highway 74!

TRAINING NOTICE

Wingate Fire Department will be conducting a live fire training burn on Saturday along Highway 74.

Residents and motorists in the area may see smoke and emergency vehicles throughout the day. This is a planned training exercise involving firefighters completing critical hands-on training evolutions.

Please use caution while traveling through the area and be mindful of personnel and apparatus operating near the roadway.

Thank you for your support as we continue training to better serve our community.

🚨 Wingate Fire Department – Memorial Day Weekend Message 🇺🇸

Memorial Day weekend is a time to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country. It’s also one of the busiest—and most dangerous—weekends on the road.

We’ll keep this simple:

If you drink, DO NOT drive.

Every year, lives are changed forever because someone made the decision to get behind the wheel impaired. Don’t let that be you. Don’t let that be someone else’s story because of your choice.

✔️ Plan ahead
✔️ Use a designated driver
✔️ Call a ride
✔️ Stay where you are

There is zero excuse for drinking and driving.

Our crews would much rather see you enjoying time with family and friends than responding to a preventable tragedy.

This weekend, make smart decisions. Protect yourself, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.

Drive sober or get pulled over.

— Wingate Fire Department 🚒

Congratulations to Lieutenant Storm Hicks and his wife on the arrival of their baby this morning, May 18, 2026, at 4:23 AM!

Baby Hicks weighed 6 lbs. 3 oz. and measured 19¾ inches long.

Mom and baby are both doing well, and we couldn’t be happier for the Hicks family as they begin this exciting new chapter together.

Please join the members of the Wingate Fire Department in congratulating Storm and his family on their newest addition!

Please note the stage 2 water restrictions being implemented by Union County Government.

Important Update: Union County is moving to Stage 2 of our Water Shortage Response Plan, effective today. We haven’t been in Stage 2 since 2009.

What does this mean for Union County Water customers?

💧Irrigation use is now limited to no more than two days per week and certain hours. Customers who use spray irrigation systems need to adjust their system schedules and follow the guidance at https://ucgov.info/4nygw9S.

🚗 No personal car washing, except at commercial car washes.

🛟 No filling of new pools or fountains, except to support aquatic life.

Stage 2 also implements higher rates for certain customers, including residential customers with significantly high usage of 10,000 gallons per month or more. To reduce overall water consumption, we’re asking everyone to conserve water when possible. Take shorter showers, fix leaky fixtures quickly, and reduce outdoor water usage – especially after a rare rainy day.

Learn more about Stage 2 and view ways to conserve water: https://ucgov.info/4dhHSw4

🚫🔥 BURN BAN STILL IN EFFECT – UNION COUNTY 🔥🚫

While NC Forestry has lifted the burn ban in 81 counties across North Carolina, Union County is NOT one of them.

❗ The burn ban remains in effect for Union County until further notice. ❗

This means:

* No open burning
* No fire pits
* No yard debris burning

Conditions in our area are still dry, and it doesn’t take much for a small fire to turn into a big problem.

🚒 We’re asking everyone to do their part—hold off on burning and help keep our community safe.

We will update you as soon as the ban is lifted locally. Stay safe and stay aware.

There’s a lot more to the fire service than just the “smells and bells.” Our favorite part will always be the community.

Earlier tonight, while on scene of a fire alarm at Wingate University, we were approached by two gentlemen who wanted to check out the fire truck. Of course, we couldn’t say no.

We gave them a tour, answered some questions… and who knows, we may have even handed out a couple job applications.

Moments like these are what it’s all about. 🚒

🚫🔥 BURN BAN IN EFFECT 🔥🚫

A burn ban is currently in place due to extremely dangerous fire conditions. Dry ground and shifting winds mean any fire can spread rapidly and without warning.

⚠️ ALL outdoor burning is strictly prohibited — no exceptions. This includes brush piles, yard debris, trash, and any open flames.

This is a direct order put in place to protect lives, property, and our firefighters. Failure to comply is not only reckless, it is enforceable by law.

Violations will result in fines and you will be held responsible for any damage caused.

Understand this clearly: one careless decision can put an entire community at risk.

Do your part:✔️ Do NOT burn✔️ Report fires immediately✔️ Take this seriously

There is zero tolerance while this ban is in place.

When we respond to illegal burns it can tie up resources that could be used for other emergencies.

At 7:30pm this evening, Wingate Fire was dispatched along with Monroe Ladder 2 and NCFS to a smoke investigation in the area of White Store Rd and Monroe-Marshville. Brush 96 was able to see a smoke column from White Store Rd about 1/2 mile away. Thermal drone was put in the air and quickly discovered the source was from a logging operation. It appears at this time is was not malicious and possibly something from equipment starting a small fire. We were able to find an access road close to the source. Due to the large logs, stumps and brush along the skidder road, forestry called for their dozer and we requested Brush 215 from Unionville which is a high clearance vehicle. Tanker 94 provided a water point for 215 while the dozer worked to secure a line around the burning area. Unionville Volunteer Fire Department