Terrell Volunteer Fire Department

TVFD friends - please read KSO's post and keep a sharp eye out for Mr. Chavez. If you have a lead please call KSO immediately.

TVFD currently working a power line fire on County Road 324 east of FM 986. Unfortunately, almost 3 hours in and having already broken two previous ETAs, there is not yet an Oncor representative on scene. The fire has burned through the top of the pole and allowed primary lines to partially fall, taking power out to nearby residents. Please use caution in this area.

TVFD mourns the sudden and unexpected loss of Stephen Edwards, a member of TVFD's Board of Directors. Stephen volunteered for almost 2 years on our Board, using his business aptitude to help oversee our financials and long-term capital expenditures. May he rest in peace.

At 9:27pm Tuesday night, your Terrell volunteer firefighters were dispatched to the area of CR 237A on a structure fire. Multiple callers reported heavy fire in a residence with a person potentially still inside. A large glow could be seen from the area. Aid was immediately requested from Terrell FD, Elmo FD, and Ables Springs FD.
Firefighters arrived less than 7 minutes after dispatch to find heavy fire through the roof. A search was initiated and the person reported inside was located. Firefighters used hand lines and an engine-mounted deck gun to bring the fire under control. Unfortunately, the combination of heavy fire involvement on arrival, gusty winds, and water supply challenges made fire control challenging and the home suffered catastrophic damage. While the investigation is ongoing, it is believed that the fire originated from an overturned heat lamp in the garage which was being used to keep baby chicks warm.
Most FD resources cleared the scene at 1:56am after conducting extensive overhaul, using more than 30,000 gallons of water. TVFD personnel have and will continue to return throughout the day to check for hot spots and conduct any additional overhaul required.

While working this fire, a nearby resident chose to blast down CR 237A on his dirt bike, narrowly avoiding emergency responders on multiple occasions. The Fire Marshal on scene responded, finding that the subject had already crashed into a culvert. After evaluation by EMS, the rider was booked into the Kaufman County Jail on reckless driving charges and his bike was impounded.

TVFD encourages caution with any heat sources or open flames inside your home. A heat lamp and some bedding for animals can turn into a major fire in seconds.

We also ask that motorists use caution and avoid areas where firefighters are working. We shouldn't have to dodge dirt bike riders and their poor decisions while working a fire.

TVFD appreciates all of our mutual aid partners who responded to assist.

Update - Highway cleared. All units clear.

TVFD currently working a 2 vehicle crash on FM 429 north of CR 319. CareFlite helicopter responding. 429 is closed - avoid this area!

UPDATE: Highway reopened. All units clear.

TVFD working a 2-vehicle crash eastbound I-20 west of FM148. Left lane and right shoulder closed. Expect delays.

Update: Roadways have been cleared. DPS will remain on scene with one vehicle on the shoulder until a wrecker can remove it.

TVFD currently working a 2 vehicle crash on Hwy 34 at FM3486. SB 34 is being diverted. Use caution in this area!

BURN BAN LIFTED

By order of the Kaufman County Fire Marshal, the countywide burn ban has been rescinded effective immediately. Outdoor burning in accordance with standard regulations is now permitted. Please ensure that all fires are conducted safely, in accordance with state law, and that they are attended with a readily available water source until they have completely burned out.

Questions? DM us or contact the Fire Marshal’s office.

We've received several questions lately about whether the burn ban is still in effect. The answer? Yes, absolutely! Now, we know people say "but we just had snow and ice last week! Why do we need a burn ban?" Our answer is simple - just look at this picture.
At 2:24pm this afternoon, TVFD was dispatched to a grass fire in the area of Colquitt Road. Firefighters arrived 11 minutes later to find what you see here... a small controlled burn (located where the arrow points) took off and was running toward much thicker fuels and occupied homes. Fortunately, TVFD personnel were able to quickly bring the fire under control - but look at how far the fire traveled! At the time of the fire, the humidity was 18% and the winds were out of the west at 14mph.
This weekend's weather includes more of the same... dry, warm, and moderately windy. Last week's cold snap cured the copious amounts of grasses and brush out there. Burning conditions will continue to be elevated. Please continue observing the burn ban, stay safe, and have a great weekend!

Kaufman County has been placed under a BURN BAN effective today. The ban will expire in 90 days unless cancelled early or extended.

Burn bans prohibit all regularly-permitted outdoor burning - including burn barrels with trash and open burning of limbs, leaves, and other natural products. Burn ban violations may lead to criminal penalties through the Kaufman County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Help us keep the trucks warm and cozy in their bays by heeding this ban!