Fire departments receive state grants

The Texas A&M Forest Service approved $164 million in funding to award 558 fire trucks and 321 slip-on units to Texas volunteer fire departments through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program last week. The following Hill County departments were awarded: Whitney Fire and Rescue - $345,000 to be used for a water tender and … Continue reading Fire departments receive state grants

One fatality reported after Whitney mobile home fire

The State Fire Marshal's Office and Hill County Sheriff's Office are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of a fire that claimed the life of one individual early Friday, March 21. Neighbors reported hearing an explosion and saw the double-wide mobile home in the 200 block of HCR 2109 engulfed in flames at approximately … Continue reading One fatality reported after Whitney mobile home fire

County under 90-day burn ban

Editor: Shannon Cottongame August 3, 2023 The Hill County Commissioners Court passed a 90-day burn ban during a regular meeting held Tuesday, July 25. The order states that dry conditions exist in the county and local fire departments are depleting limited resources to protect public health and safety. It further states that dry, windy conditions … Continue reading County under 90-day burn ban

Fire leads to multi-day effort near Blum

Editor: Shannon Cottongame August 3, 2023 The Texas A&M Forest Service and other agencies joined with local volunteer fire departments last week to fight a wildfire that burned 300 acres near Blum. Units fought the fire from the ground and air and were able to keep it within containment lines by the end of the … Continue reading Fire leads to multi-day effort near Blum

Air resources called in for Hard Castle Fire

Editor: Shannon Cottongame July 14, 2022 The Texas A&M Forest Service assisted Bosque County firefighters as they worked to contain the 500+ acre Hard Castle Fire near Walnut Springs over the weekend. Boaters on Lake Whitney were warned to avoid areas where aircraft were scooping water from the lake to drop on the scene. The … Continue reading Air resources called in for Hard Castle Fire

Fire department seeks volunteers

Reporter: Ellie Mahan March 30, 2022 The Whitney Fire Department has 12 volunteers and would love to welcome about six more to the team. For information about how to become a volunteer firefighter, call the fire station at 254-694-2444. Other fire departments throughout the area are also facing an increase in calls and a shortage … Continue reading Fire department seeks volunteers

VFDs urging caution as grass fire calls increase

Editor: Shannon Cottongame March 16, 2022 Persistent dry conditions for the past several months have led to an increase in grass fires throughout Hill County and the area, prompting local firefighters to ask residents to refrain from outdoor burning until conditions improve. According to reports from Hill County Emergency Services District 1, area fire departments … Continue reading VFDs urging caution as grass fire calls increase