Holidays are a time for fun and enjoyment but behind the scenes, first responders are on call waiting to help when those unexpected emergencies happen. Volunteer firemen and women all over the state make daily sacrifices to protect their communities, families and friends. The Lake Brownwood Volunteer Fire Department (also known as the Bridge VFD) is a prime example of such as they were busy over the Fourth of July weekend because of the high dry grass.
Below are the calls they answered during the holiday:
Wednesday, July 3
*10:30 pm: Grass Fire on Cr 563 around a house in Rocky Cove about 1/2 acre, started by fireworks.
Thursday, July 4
*6:00 pm: Porch fire on CR 551 just off Hwy 279. Fire was put out with only damage to one side of porch. Fire was started by fireworks.
*10:13 pm: Small grass fire at 5000 Hwy 279 in yard and bar ditch, started by fireworks
*10:30 pm: Small grass fire on Lakeside Dr on lake side of road, started by fireworks.
*11:00 pm: Grass fire on Grandview Dr about 1/2 acre, started by fireworks.
Friday, July 5
*3:30 pm: Porch and grass fire along side of house on CR 551, fire started by fireworks thrown on porch and spread to grass. The only damage was to the porch.
*7:00 pm: Grass fire on CR 588, about 1/2 acre and large pile of scrap wood, started by fireworks.
*10:50 pm: Small grass fire at Sandy Beach area, started by fireworks.
Saturday, July 6
*10:28 pm: Grass fire on Old Lane off the cliff around the rocks, started by fireworks.
Sunday, July 7
*4:22 pm: Grass fire on Sportsman Dr very small grass fire in open field. Resident from across the road had most of the fire out upon firefighters’ arrival. Fire crews soaked areas down. The fire was started by fireworks.
According to the Lake Brownwood Fire Department’s Chief Randy Feight, there were no fires last year over the 4th of July weekend. This year was different he said because of the long dry grass, the LBVFD responded to 10 fires – all from fireworks.
Chief Feight stated that volunteers were ready to respond and spent evenings at their station to keep the community safe over the holiday weekend.
“By sitting at the station each evening we responded quickly to the fires before they got too large,” said Chief Feight. “I’m very proud to serve with volunteers that take time away from family and friends, who sit at the station to respond to a call over the holiday without pay. These volunteers and all the county’s volunteer fireman making the calls when the bell rings, they drop everything and answer the call to help their community.”
The Lake Brownwood Fire Department is located near the bridge at 8800 Texas 279, Brownwood, Texas.