August 3, 2022 - Center Fire Department firefighters saved four homes in imminent danger of burning Wednesday, August 3, 2022, when it was reported someone was burning brush behind their house on Collier Street in Center.
When the firefighters arrived after 11:30am, even though Shelby County is under a burn ban, trees which had been cut down and various other brush were discovered to have been set on fire in the midst of several houses in close proximity to one another placing those structures in immediate danger of catching fire.
The firefighters worked quickly to put the fire out by spraying water on burning piles of wood and brush. One house was detected as already being over 200 degrees, as the firefighters sprayed water on the home and nearby jungle gym equipment.
As a result of the quick action of fire personnel, they were able to save four homes from burning, and extinguish nearby trees that were on fire.
Center Police Department officers were called to the scene and they wrote the homeowner a citation.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) which ranges from 0-800, with 0 indicating no depletion of moisture and 800 representing absolutely dry conditions, currently shows Shelby County to be at 776 for the maximum and 712 being the average according to Texas A&M Forest Service data.
Center Fire Department personnel worked with forest service personnel in fighting a fire on CR 1005 on Tuesday which had been intentionally set. The Shelby County Commissioners have not lifted the burn ban as nothing has changed recently to indicate it's safe to do so.
Firefighters put themselves in harms way every time they respond to a call, and the potential for heat exhaustion is greater when temperatures are higher.
Those who burn during a burn ban are subject to potential legal action unless they have some form of documented exemption.
Unless a city states otherwise, all of Shelby County is under a burn ban.
