Grass Fires Keep Fire Departments Busy

Fire departments all across Van Zandt County stayed busy this past Sunday responding to multiple grass fire calls.

"I would say that for about five hours on Sunday, every department in the county was chasing grass fires. Sometimes responding to more than one at a time," said Van Zandt County Fire Marshall Chuck Allen.

Allen said that at the intersection of VZCRs 3210 and 3213 a fire burned approximately 20 acres and units from Wills Point, Edgewood, Canton, Fruitvale and Myrtle Springs all responded to the call.

"We also had a fire on FM 47 North that burned about 20 acres. Wills Point, Rolling Oaks, Edgewood and Myrtle Springs were at that scene," said Allen.

Allen said a fire on VZCR 2602 was the biggest of the day burning approximately 70 acres.

"We had trucks from Mabank, Whitton, South Van Zandt, Wills Point, Kemp, College Mound, Terrell and Kaufman all out there," said Allen.

Allen said that several trucks got stuck and had to be pulled out by tractors and wreckers.

"Vegetation on the surface is dry and it burns hot and fast but the ground is wet. This is a nightmare for us. Sometimes it is hard to get to where we need to go and trucks end up stuck just like they did during this fire," said Allen.

Allen said the humidity was only about 25 percent Sunday and even with a small amount of wind burning it is dangerous.

"When the relative humidity is below 30 percent, a little wind and a small spark can be the start of a raging wildfire," said Allen.

Allen said that all of the fires that were responded to on Sunday were the direct result of careless burning.

"I have said time and time again, people must use common sense we they are burning," said Allen.

Allen said anyone that has a fire that gets away from them and damages other people’s property can face a number of criminal charges.

"If a fire gets away from you and burns your neighbor’s house down, you can be charged with arson which is a second degree felony," said Allen.

"I will say that a warning has been issued and from here on out if other people’s property is damaged as a result of your irresponsibility, you will receive a citation," said Allen.

Allen said the citation would be for reckless damage and destruction which is a class C misdemeanor. He said the fine for the citation is set by a Justice of the Peace court.

"Depending on the amount of damage, additional charges could be filed such as criminal mischief and arson," said Allen.

"In addition to all the criminal charges that could be filed, people need to realize that their local departments operate on a limited budget. Their lack of responsibility puts extra wear and tear on these departments’ trucks and personnel," said Allen.

Allen said that citizens are also responsible for a fire even after they think it is out.

"Last year we had a fire that was out but two hours later an ember was picked up by the wind and ended up causing a lot more damage," said Allen.

Allen said that numerous other fires were called in Sunday in addition to the ones mentioned.