After a challenging week for volunteer firemen in and around Van Zandt County fighting grass fires, VZC Fire Marshal Sean Davis is seeking the public’s help in reducing the number of future fire calls.

“I don’t have a total count on the number of fire calls that we have had in VZC over the past week,” said Davis in a July 20 interview. “We are estimating that we have lost close to 1,500 acres as a result of our recent fire calls. Yesterday alone (July 19) was our biggest hit so far as we lost 1,000 acres.”

Davis discussed the possible causes of the fires that have occurred in VZC recently. “Some of these fires have been caused from reckless activity such as people burning trash or people discarding of things improperly like cigarettes,” pointed out Davis.

The VZC fire marshal is asking for the public’s help moving forward. “The best thing everyone can do is to be conscious of their outdoor activities,” said Davis. “Anything that creates heat, even mowing your grass, can be a big deal. The grass can get caught up on decks and start a fire that way. If you use anything that can create any kind of heat, please be careful. Have some body watching out with water is helpful especially if you are bailing hay or welding. People need to be respectful with their discarded cigarettes. If you are pulling a trailer, make sure that it is secure, and nothing is dragging the ground to create sparks.”

Davis also gave an update on residents that were evacuated during one of the July 19 grass fires in VZC.

“We did about a three-mile radius regarding evacuations at the grass fire that was reported at FM 47, north of VZCR 2120,” recalled Davis. “The fire started in a bar ditch. The cause of that fire is undetermined at this time. It could have started with a discarded cigarette or someone dragging a chain down the road. Everyone that was evacuated was allowed to return to their homes later in the evening (July 19).

“The Texas Forestry Service showed up at dark and began to cut a line around everything that had burned to help keep the fire contained,” continued Davis. “They stayed throughout the night. One house did lose a barn and lost power to the structure, but Trinity Valley Electric was able to get the power restored as the sun went down (July 19).”

In addition to the Texas Forestry Service, other agencies that assisted the volunteer fire departments in VZC in recent grass fires included the Department of Public Safety, the VZC Sheriff’s Department, the Wills Point Police Department and the Canton Police Department.

“We also received assistance from the Kaufman County as well as the Rains County Fire Departments,” pointed out Davis.

In summarizing the past few days of fighting grass fires in VZC, Davis stated, “I would like to urge caution to everyone. I have heard a few comments from some people who are saying, ‘it is just grass, it is no big deal.’ What some people don’t realize is that this grass is pasture for some people. This is their livelihood, feeding their cattle. What may seem like just grass for some people is feed for livestock for other people. We all need to have a better understanding of what is going on here right now.

“One of the ranchers recently made a comment to me that he lost everything he has got in terms of grass for his cattle. He is going to be a making a major decision soon about what to do about his cattle on whether he is going to sell them or not,” said Davis. No injuries to firefighters or civilians have been re

No injuries to firefighters or civilians have been reported in any of the grass fire calls in VZC so far, according to the VZC fire marshal. “We have really great rehab systems set up from the

“We have really great rehab systems set up from the volunteer fire departments throughout VZC,” empha sized Davis. “Christus Trinity Mother Frances EMS has been really good about setting up rehab for the firemen. We are keeping them hydrated and cooled off. The donations of water that our volunteer fire departments have been receiving from the public have been outstanding.”