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Over the course of the last month, much of the state has been affected by abnormal dryness or drought. The outlook is positive, though, with conditions in all drought areas as of March 19 expected to improve by the end of June. Most of the area is expected to come out of drought. One percent […]

To get a preliminary idea of the possible extent of damage to forest resources in the area, we intersected the path of the tornado with our forest-type map. Not all of the area within the path was damaged, so these estimates represent an upper limit on the affected area. A significant portion of the tornado’s […]

BRIDGEPORT, Texas — Boonsville-Balsora Volunteer Fire Department converted a 2.5-ton StewartStevenson 4×4 excess military truck into a heavy-duty firefighting apparatus. “This truck has allowed us to retire an older truck that was less reliable,” said Fire Chief Andrew Wood. “It hasa number of upgrades that will help increase our capacity when fighting wildland fires.” According […]

ANSON, Texas – Anson Volunteer Fire Department applied for a Department of Defense Firefighter PropertyProgram grant that allowed them to receive a 2002 excess military truck. Stipulations for receiving the truck arethat it must be painted a nonmilitary color and transformed into a service ready vehicle within 180 days. Thedepartment members partnered with a local […]

The City of Milano Volunteer Fire Department acquired an excess military vehicle through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program (DOD FFP). The department also accepted a $20,000 grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to help purchase a new slip-on unit; both programs are administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. “The rural […]

WINTERS, Texas  Winters Volunteer Fire Department received a $20,000 grant to assist in the conversion ofa 1996 Stewart Stevenson 2.5-ton cargo truck with only 7,259 miles on the odometer. The accompanying slipon the unit was awarded through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program and the excess militarythe truck was through the Department of […]

KOUNTZE, Texas  Kountze Volunteer Fire Department added a converted military truck to their emergencyresponse fleet in preparation of wildland fire and flooding. “This is the first off-road type apparatus that our department has ever had,” said Fire Chief Barry Mitchael.“Our area went through Hurricane Harvey but seems to be getting 2-3 floods a year […]

GORDONVILLE, Texas — Gordonville Volunteer Fire Department now has a multipurpose large brush truck thanks to community support and a $200,000 grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. “This is an all-around brush truck that can also be classified as a mini pumper with an 800-gallon poly […]

Tahoka Volunteer Fire Department replaces an older model truck with a 2018 water tender thanks to a cost share grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. “We appreciate receiving an HB2604 grant to help purchase our new fleet addition,” said Fire Chief Bryan Reynolds. “The Freightliner chassis with its […]

Having rescue equipment readily available can be lifesaving. Thornton Volunteer FireDepartment received a $15,000 grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire DepartmentAssistance Program. “This is a first for our department,” said Fire Chief Paul Miller. “We have always had to depend on twodepartments that we mutual aid with to respond to vehicle […]