Local firefighters join forces to tackle statewide blazes
Staff photo by Maci Cottingham
As wildfire season continues to spark blazes across Texas, local firefighters have been deployed statewide over the last several weeks to assist.
Since the start of August, multiple Burnet County-area fire departments have sent personnel and equipment to join Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams throughout the state.
These TIFMAS strike teams gather members, equipment, and fire engines from departments across Texas to help tackle out-of-control fires, such as the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto that burned over 90,000 acres of land just three hours north of Marble Falls.
Local emergency personnel from departments including the Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay fire departments, Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, and Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9 have been toned out to help extinguish blazes in August, sharing their endeavors on Facebook.
“Since mid-August, MFAVFD personnel and our Type 6 (brush truck) have been deployed across Texas, working as a part of a TIFMAS strike team,” reads a Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department post. “We are proud to stand alongside multiple other agencies to support these firefighting efforts.”
Marble Falls Fire Rescue sent two personnel and a structural engine to Palo Pinto.
“Accompanying our personnel is a member each from Burnet County ESD 9 and Liberty Hill Fire Department,” reads a Marble Falls Fire Rescue post.
According to a post from Burnet County ESD No. 9, Lieutenant Brandon Custer was deployed as part of an engine crew with Marble Falls Fire Rescue.
“(Marble Falls Fire Rescue) has been redeployed and is heading towards the coast in preparation for the incoming Tropical Storm Edouard,” the post continued.
TIFMAS strike teams have also been deployed in the Burnet County area this year, helping suppress fires like the Baker Fire that sparked in early August. Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Ed Hashbarger told DailyTrib these strike teams have been paramount to combating the summer blazes.
“Right now, Burnet County has had a lot of fire activity,” he said. “We’ve gotten folks from other states coming into Texas to help us, and we also have several service members from agencies around the county who are deployed to help throughout the state. The fire service community is all about helping each other, and it’s a team effort to attack and mitigate these fires. So anytime we have resources to lend, we do, and vice versa.”