Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department

10/16/2026

A strong cold front will usher in very dry air on Friday as relative humidity plummets between 25 to 35 percent with winds gusting out of the north up to 30+ mph at times. As a result, a Red Flag Warning is in effect with the threat of rapid start and spread of wildfires.

10/15/2026

Please Share! TX regulations will prohibit outdoor burning tomorrow…FRIDAY! Strong, gusty winds are expected.

Even with some counties not under a burn ban, Texas prohibits outdoor burning when wind speeds are outside of the below criteria.

Burning shall not be commenced when
surface wind speed is predicted to be less
than five miles per hour (mph) (four knots)
or greater than 23 mph (20 knots) during the
burn period.

10/15/2026

10/08/2026

***CHAPEL HILL WHATABURGER***
We are hosting a fundraiser tonight at the Chapel Hill Whataburger to support Tyler Police Officer Josiah Baxter, who was injured in the line of duty after he was struck by an intoxicated driver. 50% of the proceeds from all Whataburger sales in Tyler and Chapel Hill between 5pm and 7pm will go to Officer Baxter. We will also be taking monetary donations as well. He and his family need our help. Let’s come together and support this officer. We will have our patrol units on display for the kiddos to see as well. See you tonight!

10/05/2026

After receiving much needed rain over the last few days, the Smith County Burn Ban has been lifted early!
“At this time, I believe conditions have improved enough in Smith County to safely allow outdoor burning,” Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said.
Monday’s average Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County was at 541 – down dramatically from 717 last week. The KBDI ranges from 0 to 800 and is used to determine forest fire potential.
The Commissioners Court issued the “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning” on August 18. Hogue and Smith County Judge Neal Franklin signed an order on Monday, October 5, to rescind the burn ban.
For more information, please call the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2655 or visit www.smith-county.com and click on the red banner at the top of the homepage.
Smith County Sheriff's Office
Smith County Emergency Services District 2
Lindale Fire Department
Arp Volunteer Fire Department
Bullard Fire Department
Winona Volunteer Fire Department
City of Whitehouse Fire Department
Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department
Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department
Flint-Gresham Fire Department
Smith County

10/03/2026

Although Smith County has received much needed rain and more is expected through the weekend, the county remains under a burn ban.
Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said rainfall received Thursday and Friday has helped reduce the fire danger, but the burn ban will remain in effect through the weekend.
Hogue will give an update on fire conditions to the Smith County Commissioners Court during its weekly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 6.
Some areas of the county had received 1-2 inches so far by Friday morning, but fire weather conditions need to be favorable for more than just a few days to justify ending the burn ban, Hogue said.
On Friday, the average Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County was at 607, dropping from 717 reported on Tuesday. The KBDI ranges from 0 to 800 and is used to determine forest fire potential.
The Commissioners Court issued the “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning” on August 18.
Six weeks after the Smith County Burn Ban was issued, there have been 235 reported wildfires in unincorporated areas of the county.
The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has written 31 citations for all six weeks, but Hogue said he did not know how many were issued by other agencies in the county. Citations for illegal burning can cost up to $500.
The burn ban order is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve and the Commissioners Court approves terminating the order early.
Fire pits or any form of outdoor burning is prohibited. There are exceptions to the burn ban. You can still grill as long as the fire is enclosed in a grill that has a lid.
For more information, please call the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2655 or visit www.smith-county.com and click on the red banner at the top of the homepage.

10/01/2026

Although much needed rain is expected today and over the next few days, Smith County remains under a burn ban.
Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said we will have to wait and see just how much rain we get before making any decisions to lift the burn ban.
“Hopefully, it’s a county car wash on Thursday,” he said.
Six weeks after the Smith County Burn Ban was issued, there have been 235 reported wildfires in unincorporated areas of the county.
Hogue gave an update to Commissioners Court on Tuesday, September 29.
Tuesday’s average Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County was at 717, but some areas saw a high of 778. That is extreme considering the KBDI ranges from 0 to 800 and is used to determine forest fire potential.
Hogue said the KDBI needs to drop significantly before they can lift the burn ban.
The Commissioners Court issued the “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning” on August 18.
The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has written 31 citations for all six weeks, but Hogue said he did not know how many were issued by other agencies in the county.
The burn ban order is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve, and the Commissioners Court approves terminating the order early.
Fire pits or any form of outdoor burning is prohibited. There are exceptions to the burn ban.
For more information, please call the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2655 or visit www.smith-county.com and click on the red banner at the top of the homepage.

09/18/2026

🎉 Homecoming Parade Route & Important Information! 💙💛

Join us Monday, September 21, as Bulldog pride takes over Chapel Hill!

📍 Parade begins at Kissam Intermediate
🕕 Parade starts at 6 p.m.
📣 Pep rally begins at Bulldog Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

Families and community members may watch the parade from locations along the red route shown on the map.

Parents picking up students who participated in the parade should meet them at the front of Bulldog Stadium after the parade concludes.

Wear your blue and gold, find a spot along the route and help us celebrate Homecoming! 🐾

🎉 ¡Recorrido del desfile de bienvenida e información importante! 💙💛

¡Acompáñanos el lunes 21 de septiembre, cuando el orgullo de los Bulldogs se apodere de Chapel Hill!

📍 El desfile comienza en la escuela secundaria Kissam
🕕 El desfile empieza a las 18:00 h
📣 La fiesta de animación comienza en el estadio Bulldog a las 19:30 h

Las familias y los miembros de la comunidad pueden ver el desfile desde cualquier punto a lo largo de la ruta roja que se muestra en el mapa.

Los padres que vayan a recoger a los alumnos que hayan participado en el desfile deben esperarles en la entrada principal del Estadio Bulldog una vez finalizado el desfile.

¡Ponte tu ropa azul y dorada, busca un sitio a lo largo del recorrido y ayúdanos a celebrar el Homecoming! 🐾

09/15/2026

A month after the Smith County Burn Ban was issued, there have been 175 outdoor burning reports in unincorporated areas of the county.
Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue gave an update to Commissioners Court on Tuesday, September 15.
Hot temperatures and dry conditions mean we are still under high fire danger, Hogue said, adding that he hopes the county will see some significant rainfall in the next 10 days.
During the first week, there were 58 outdoor fire incidents, 37 during the second week, 47 during the third week, and 33 outdoor burning calls last week. These do not include outdoor fires within city limits.
He said the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has written 27 citations for all four weeks, but he did not know how many were issued by other agencies in the county.
As of Tuesday, the latest average Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County was at 691 – an increase from the 669 he reported a week ago. The KBDI ranges from 0 to 800 and is used to determine forest fire potential.
The Commissioners Court issued the “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning” on August 18.
The burn ban order is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve, and the Commissioners Court approves terminating the order early.
Fire pits or any form of outdoor burning is prohibited.
There are exceptions to the burn ban. People are still allowed to cook food in a grill or smoker that contains all open flames and have enclosed lids. Professional welding operations are allowed but all welders must notify and register with the Fire Marshal’s Office before welding outside and follow specific guidelines.
The order also does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, such as firefighter training; public utility, Texas Department of Transportation operations, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; planting or harvesting agricultural crops; or some prescribed burns.
A violation of the burn ban is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.
For more information, please call the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2655 or visit www.smith-county.com and click on the red banner at the top of the homepage.

09/03/2026

Although parts of Smith County received significant rain Wednesday night, Smith County remains under a burn ban.
Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue reported that the average Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County was 670 Thursday, lowered from 735 reported on Tuesday. The KBDI ranges from 0 to 800 and is used to determine forest fire potential.
“The rain definitely helped us but it wasn’t enough to get us into safe conditions for outdoor burning,” Hogue said.
On Tuesday, he reported that there have been 95 outdoor burning reports countywide.
The Commissioners Court issued the “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning” on August 18. The burn ban is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve and the order is terminated early.
Fire pits or any form of outdoor burning is prohibited.
There are exceptions to the burn ban. People are still allowed to cook food in a grill or smoker that contains all open flames and have enclosed lids. Professional welding operations are allowed but all welders must notify and register with the Fire Marshal’s Office before welding outside and follow specific guidelines.
The order also does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, such as firefighter training; public utility, Texas Department of Transportation operations, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; planting or harvesting agricultural crops; or some prescribed burns.
A violation of the burn ban is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.
For more information, please call the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2655 or visit www.smith-county.com and click on the red banner at the top of the homepage.