Terrell Volunteer Fire Department

10/16/2026

Friday is *not* a burn day! Keep the fires out. Consider ankle weights for small pets and children! 😆

A Wind Advisory has been issued for all of North and Central Texas for Friday. Following the passage of a strong cold front tonight and tomorrow, sustained winds will reach 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph during the day Friday. Please take precautions to secure outdoor items such as lawn furniture, decorations, and other lightweight objects, and exercise extra caution when boating on area lakes.

10/11/2026

At 4:03pm Saturday afternoon, your Terrell volunteer firefighters were dispatched to the area of Cottonwood Lane for a grass fire. Brush 1, Brush 2, Tanker 1, and Squad 1 responded immediately. Upon arrival, we found a grass fire that had originated from an unattended controlled burn, burned through a second property, and entered a third property. The wind was pushing the fire straight towards an occupied home, a large RV, and several out-buildings.
B1 and B2 initiated a direct attack. Access was hampered by the second property being heavily wooded and not developed but firefighters were able to gain access from the property behind the fire and stretch line over a fence. The fire was quickly brought under control.

Just a reminder - even though the burn ban has been rescinded, there are still rules to outdoor burning. You must remain with the fire and have water available to extinguish it. Failure to do so can subject you to civil and/or criminal penalties. If your fire causes property damage or serious bodily injury to anyone, you could be looking at felony charges.

Let’s all use some of that all-too-uncommon common sense. Grass is still very dry and will readily burn. Fires must be attended. Don’t put your neighbors or your firefighters at risk by burning improperly.

10/04/2026

The Burn Ban for Kaufman County has been lifted effective immediately.

Outdoor burns must still comply with state law, cannot involve illegal products, etc. Please review the regulations here:
https://www.kaufmancounty.net/493/Outdoor-Burning

09/23/2026

UPDATE: Roadway reopened. One patient transported via helicopter to a Dallas hospital for further care.

Abner Road closed in the 7200 block (east of Yellow Rock) for a vehicle vs pedestrian crash. Avoid this area.

09/17/2026

At 2:48pm, TVFD responded to a reported grass fire in the 7000 block of CR 275. Units responded immediately from another call and observed a large column of smoke. Mutual aid was requested from Kaufman Volunteer Fire Department ESD #1.
E1 arrived to find several acres on fire, crossing property lines and exhibiting extreme fire behavior including 20’ flame heights and tree torching. Additional mutual aid was requested from Terrell Fire Department, City of Terrell and Elmo Fire Department.
During the initial fire attack, one firefighter suffered a heat-related emergency. CareFlite was immediately dispatched for the firefighter down with two EMS units, a supervisor, and a helicopter on airborne standby. As the firefighter was being treated, a civilian who attempted to fight the fire was found suffering from facial burns. Both patients were treated on the scene and released.
The fire was ultimately contained at approximately 7 acres. Extensive overhaul ensued to prevent any further fire spread. Oncor was also requested for damage to power poles supporting a 138kV distribution line.
The Kaufman County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to investigate and found the cause of the fire to be welding on a fence without proper fire suppression equipment. The case remains open and under investigation.
Firefighters remain on scene at 4:40pm but will clear the scene soon.

As always, TVFD greatly appreciates the rapid response from all of our mutual aid partners. In this weather and drought, rapid and overwhelming force prevent 7 acre fires from becoming 700 or 7,000.

Please use caution with anything that can produce a spark. Cars, chains on trailers, welders, anything. One spark can turn into acres of fire in moments

09/13/2026

UPDATE: I20 was reopened and all units cleared at 12:30pm

TVFD operating at an 18 wheeler tractor fire EB I-20 west of FM 148. I-20 has been reduced to 1 lane. Avoid this area!

08/30/2026

At 1:28pm Sunday afternoon, your Terrell volunteer firefighters were dispatched to Zagota Crossing on a reported grass fire. Callers advised a pasture was on fire with multiple structures either threatened or on fire. Mutual aid was immediately requested from Volunteer Fire Department ESD #1 . A drone operator also responded from Mound Fire Department to assist the incident commander with aerial surveillance.
Firefighters arrived to find approximately 2 acres burning in moderate to heavy fuels. The fire was threatening to jump Zagota Crossing and enter the subdivision to the north. Fire attack began immediately, using a combination of direct attack (water on fire) and indirect attack (constructing fire lines by hand to allow the fire to burn to the line and then stop). Forward progression of the fire was halted at 1:52pm.
A total of 7 structures were immediately threatened and an additional 6 structures were threatened had the fire jumped the road. All structures were saved with only very minor damage to the exterior cladding of one outbuilding.
TVFD responded with Brush 2, Brush 3, Tanker 1, Engine 2, Squad 1. KVFD responded with Tender 2 and Tanker 1. All fire units cleared the scene at 3:03pm.

This was TVFD's 9th call for the weekend (so far!) including two grass fires, a traumatic injury, and several medical calls. TVFD continuously recruits new members... and we need you! If you're interested in joining our department, drop us a DM.

08/30/2026

At 10:56pm Saturday night, your Terrell volunteer firefighters were dispatched to 206 Burns in the unincorporated Sand Branch area of Dallas County to assist DCFR and a large contingent of mutual aid departments. with a 10+ acre brush/wildland/dump fire. DCFR requested TVFD’s tanker and manpower. Tanker 1, Engine 2, and Squad 1 responded and supplied many thousands of gallons of water.
Responding fire departments included Dallas County, Dallas, Combine, Crandall, Kaufman, Bristol, Wilmer, Seagoville, Ovilla, and a few others.
All TVFD personnel cleared the scene at 4:31am.

In one photo you’ll see a pretty uncommon sight - TVFD Tanker 1 supplying water to Dallas Fire Engine 32 - DFR’s first electric hybrid fire engine!