The Upshur Advocate: Fire

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Texas Forest Service Urges Caution With Holiday Fireworks

Many areas across the state will be in danger of accidental wildfires this month as some Texans celebrate the holiday season with fireworks.

Dec. 16, 2008 - COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Fireworks are commonly linked to Christmas and New Year festivities, but Texas Forest Service warns the outcome can be disastrous if proper safety precautions are not taken.

“Many Texans will be using fireworks to celebrate Christmas and the New Year,” Texas Forest Service Fire Operations Chief Mark Stanford said. “TFS wants Texans to use fireworks safely in order to protect themselves and to avoid accidentally starting wildfires.”

Under Texas law, county government officials have the authority to restrict certain types of aerial fireworks when drought conditions exist or when hazardous fuel conditions are present during the winter months. County officials also consider drought conditions when determining outdoor burn bans for their counties. Texas Forest Service does not make decisions regarding restrictions on fireworks or outdoor burning bans. The state agency does, however, provide drought condition information to counties.

Currently, many parts of Texas are in danger of accidental wildfire because of continued drought. Most of Central and West Texas is experiencing drier than normal conditions. In Southeast Texas, debris from Hurricane Ike and vegetation killed by saltwater is contributing to the problem, as is cured debris that remains from Hurricane Rita.

Tips for the safe use of fireworks:

* Adhere to all county and city fireworks laws.
* Use fireworks outdoors away from dry grass and buildings.
* Read firework labels and use only as directed. DO NOT ALTER THE PRODUCTS.
* Use only with adult supervision.
* Keep water, wet towels and a garden hose nearby.
* Allow fireworks to cool completely before handling.
* Discard used fireworks into a bucket of water.

For more information, go to Texas Forest Service website at http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/main/default.aspx.

Firefighters Battle Blaze In Gilmer

A house fire at 430 Montgomery Street draws the efforts of three Upshur County Fire Departments.

GILMER --- Engines and crews from the Gilmer Fire Department, as well as Harmony and East Mountain VFD's combined to fight an attic fire in the wood frame house owned by the Curington family this afternoon.

According to City Fire Marshall Mike Melton, the Gilmer Fire Department received the call at 12:58p.m., and arrived on the scene at 1:00.

Crews from all three departments were engaged by 2:00p.m., and the roof had been ventilated and the main pump on Gilmer's engine got into action.

As shaken family members and friends huddled together across the street, firemen pumped water at the flames through holes chopped in the roof gables.

Slowly, the thick smoke cleared, and by 2:30 p.m. the crews had turned their attention to pulling melted siding and tin roofing aside to attack smoldering hot spots that threatened to reignite.

By 3:00 p.m., things were controlled enough to allow firemen and investigators to enter the home, searching for items the family asked for, and beginning to determine the cause of the fire.

Stuart Curington confirmed none of the family had been injured, and Melton said no firefighters were hurt in the response.

Melton said the crews had cleared the scene by 3:22p.m.

And while the house did suffer obvious damage, a detached building connected to it by a breezeway appeared unscathed.

County Fire Marshall Paul Steelman declined to speculate on the cause, saying his investigation was just getting underway.

--- DeWayne Spell