Farmersville Times

Photo by Wyndi Veigel
A fire near Elm Creek on CR 558 burned nine old cars as it consumed
more than 40 acres.

By Wyndi Veigel
Staff Writer

Fire departments from across Collin County assisted the Farmersville Volunteer Fire Department in battling grass fires Friday, Jan. 28.

The day of fighting fires began about 11:30 a.m. when the FVFD was called to CR 656. Someone was burning cardboard boxes, and the fire “got away from them,” fire department officials said. The blaze consumed six acres. Though five structures were threatened, no property was lost and no one was injured.

The department was then called to a fire on CR 825 near Blue Ridge about 2 p.m. The fire destroyed a couple of acres.

About 2:30 p.m. a fire broke out on CR 601 near Boondoxx, a motocross park.

It was caused by a man welding, County Fire Marshall Steve Deffibaugh said, and it burned 12 acres.

While firefighters were battling the fire on CR 601, a fire started on CR 558 near Elm Creek running parallel to the Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks.

Sparks from old cars being moved by a property owner started the blaze. A total of nine cars were destroyed.

Due to the wind and dry conditions, the fire quickly progressed, Deffibaugh said.

The Texas Forestry Service office in Greenville was called to cut a perimeter around the fire to stop its progression and protect structures.

The fire destroyed 45 acres.

The department was also dispatched to a fire on CR 642 at about 3:45 p.m.

Prior to the firemen’s arrival, six civilians tried to put out the fire which was threatening two vacant mobile homes.

A 61-year-old female was treated for smoke inhalation.

Both structures were saved, though one suffered significant smoke damage, Deffibaugh said.

Farmersville PD, Lavon PD, Collin County Sheriff's Office, Princeton Volunteer Fire Department, Josephine Volunteer FD, Nevada Volunteer FD, Collin County Fire Marshall’s office, the Texas Forestry Service, Farmersville Volunteer FD, Parker Fire Department, Fairview Fire Department, Wylie Fire Department, Branch Volunteer Fire Department, Westminister Volunteer Fire Department, Lowry Crossing Fire Department as well as several ambulances companies helped battle the fires.

“Though the ground is moist, the vegetation is dry and dead,” Deffibaugh said. “The day of the fires it was 71 degrees, the humidity had dropped to below 20 percent and the wind was blowing 15 miles an hour.”

Fires often occur once the humidity drops below 20 percent, he said.

Farmersville Fire Chief Kim Morris cautions people to use common sense when burning brush or trash.

“Have water nearby,” he said.

It is required, Morris said, to have a permit through the county to legally burn trash and other items. There is no burning allowed within Farmersville city limits.