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Fire departments from across the state have provided firefighters and fire engines that have been stationed throughout the Texas Panhandle and West Texas for response to wildfires that have burned near 52,000 acres this year.

These maps show Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots from the 2006, 2011, and 2016 inventories. In East Texas, 20 percent of an inventory’s plots are measured each year, so for example, the 2016 inventory contains data collected from 2012 to 2016. The first annual inventory was completed in 2003. Since mortality is a change […]

SCOTTSVILLE, Texas — Harrison County ESD #3 Fire Rescue converted a 2001 Stewart Stevenson 5-tonmilitary truck into a service-ready machine. The military vehicle will be used as a multipurpose, large brushtruck in wildland firefighting and high water rescues. “This large brush truck will be used as a dual-purpose vehicle,” said Harrison County ESD #3 Fire […]

Higher-end critical wildfire conditions will be present over portions of Western Texas and the Panhandle tomorrow, March 18. There is a high probability of significant wildfire outbreak or a weather phenomenon called a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak.

PAMPA, Texas — Hoover Volunteer Fire Department converted a military tractor truck into a firefighting apparatus,giving the department a new capability for fighting fires. “March is typically a busy month when it comes to wildland fires,” said Hoover VFD Fire Chief Trent Price. “Thistime of year we average two to three calls a day, with […]

CHINA SPRING, Texas — A transformed military vehicle is giving China Spring Volunteer Fire Department extrafirefighting power. The department received a Stewart Stevenson 2.5-ton cargo truck through the Department of Defense Firefighter.Property Program (DOD-FFP) and accepted a 100 percent grant for a slip-on unit through the Rural Volunteer Fire.Department Assistance Program: both programs are administered […]

The Kempner Volunteer Fire Department received a $191,000 grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The cost-share grant was used to purchase a 2018 Peterbuilt chassis with a 3,000-gallon water tank, 3,000-gallon drop tank and a 1,000-gallon-per-minute pump. The tender, also known as a tanker in some regions, will […]

Weesatche, Texas — Weesatche Volunteer Fire Department converted a 2011 BMT 5-ton military cargo truck into afirefighting apparatus. The excess military vehicle was awarded through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program (DoDFFP). The department also accepted a $20,000 grant from the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program topurchase a slip-on unit that was installed […]

Critical and elevated wildfire conditions will be present over portions of Western Texas and the Panhandle beginning Wednesday and continuing through the weekend. The areas of concern include Amarillo, Lubbock and Childress.

BURKBURNETT, Texas — Burkburnett Volunteer Fire Department recently accepted a $100,000 grant through theTexas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The cost-share grant was used tohelp purchase a 2017 Ford F550 small brush truck. A brush truck is an initial-attack unit used to help meet the demands of the fire service. It […]