BURNET — A little more money is coming to volunteer fire departments across Burnet County to help keep them ready for wildfires as one of the worst droughts in Texas history continues.
By unanimous decision, the Burnet County Commissioners Court Tuesday authorized the additional expenditure of $16,500 spread across 11 volunteer fire departments.
“I requested the additional funding based on exceptional drought conditions and numerous wildfires volunteer fire departments have fought this summer and fall,” said Commissioner Joe Don Dockery. “Several of the fires were large, and firefighting efforts took a toll on their resources.”
Those fires included a Sept. 4 Labor Day weekend blaze that scorched 6,500 acres and damaged or destroyed 67 homes in Spicewood. Firefighters that week also battled a 60-acre blaze in Smithwick that led to the evacuation of nine homes.
As a rainstorm moved through the area Tuesday night, lightning sparked several blazes that ignited dry brush in Burnet County, including a 40-acre fire near Briggs.
During their meeting this past week, the commissioners unanimously approved additional funding of $1,500 for each of the 11 departments.
Earlier this year during budget talks, the commissioners approved more than $23,000 for the departments.
The $16,500 will come from the county’s unallocated funds, Dockery said.
