Upshur Fire Departments To Receive Forest Service Payments

Texas Forest Service to send checks to fire departments that helped fight 2005-2006 wildfires.

According to a press release from the TFS, several Upshur county fire departments will receive checks for expenses they incurred assisting the service battle the wildfires of 2005-06.

Excerpt of the release:

Dec. 23, 2008 --COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas Forest Service is delivering a little holiday cheer to more than 900 Texas fire departments. Through a legislative grant, TFS is distributing $5.7 million to departments that helped fight wildfires during the 2005-06 wildfire season.

House Bill 15 of the 80th Texas Legislature provided funds to help pay for the cost of fighting wildfires statewide between Dec. 1, 2005, and Sept. 18, 2006. A portion of these funds were designated to help local fire departments recover some of the expenses incurred during that time period.

Upshur county fire departments receiving money include:

* Bettie VFD
* City of Big Sandy VFD
* Gilmer Fire Department
* Harmony VFD
* Ore City VFD
* Pleasant Grove VFD
* East Mountain VFD
* Ewell VFD

A listing of all departments receiving payments can be found at http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=6366