Despite Lamar County being under a burn ban, a violation on Tuesday afternoon resulted in 40+ acres burned, 13 homes evacuated, a vehicle destroyed, and emergency resources from across Lamar County and Oklahoma being called into action.
Officials say the fire at FM 906 and CR 45080 in Powderly was started by someone burning trash and they received a fine for the violation.
“Several homes came dangerously close to being lost and 13 homes were evacuated,” said Lamar County Emergency Management. “Today showed exactly why this burn ban must be taken seriously.”
Every fire department in Lamar County was called to assist, along with several departments from Oklahoma, the Texas A&M Forest Service, multiple law enforcement agencies, Lamar County Emergency Management, and the Lamar County Fire Marshal.
The Lamar County CERT Team provided much-needed rehab for responders working this fire in the extreme heat.
“What will is take to make everyone understand that you cannot burn anything,” said Faught VFD. “We dispatched five trucks to this fire and one of our tankers refilled multiple fire trucks for hours before containment.”
On Sunday, firefighters spent the afternoon fighting a large grass woods brush fire on CR 45080 in Powderly that resulted in the total loss of one home.
Another violation of a burn ban on Saturday, started by people burning trash, resulted in firefighters battled another blaze.
“Please do not burn. This burn ban must be taken seriously,” said LCOEM, “We cannot thank our firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, emergency management personnel, CERT volunteers, and every responding agency enough. Many of these men and women have been responding to fires day after day, and they are tired. To everyone who responded and worked for hours to protect lives and property today, thank you. We are incredibly grateful for your service and dedication.”
Of the 254 counties in Texas, there are currently 214 active burn bans, according Texas Burn Ban Tracker.
A burn ban means that all outdoor burning is prohibited, including open fires, such as brush burning and bonfires, outdoor burning of trash, campfires, bonfires, fire pits, and cooking fires
A violation of the current burn ban in Lamar County is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.
