High wind, low humidity and lack of rainfall has created a serious fire hazard across the Big Country! Area fire departments need your help. An increase in wildfires across the area has put a burden on department funds and caused damage to their equipment. Just about every volunteer fire department relies on donations to operate. Without these donations, they wouldn't have the funding for fuel or parts for their trucks.
There are several ways you can help out:
1. Donate money - money allows the department to pay their bills, repair their trucks, purchase equipment for their trucks or buy protective equipment for the firefighters.
2. Donate your time - volunteer firefighters are always in need, especially during the weekdays. Most do not require any previous experience or training. If firefighting is not your thing, consider joining anyway to help out with fundraisers or bringing refreshments to fire scenes.
3. Donate your services - if you have an auto shop, consider donating your time or expertise and help out by repairing a truck or donating good used auto parts/equipment that may be lying around (tires are one thing fire departments go through a lot of).
These are just a few things you can do to help out. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send a check, made out to the Big Country Firefighter's Association, to BCFFA P.O. Box 581 Abilene, TX 79604-0581. If you would like it to go to a specific department, please contact that department on their non-emergency number or visit their website. For more information on what you can do to help or for any other questions, please contact us at bcffamail@bcffa.net.
Please Help Prevent Wildfires
Here are some of the ways you can help prevent wildfires:
1. No outdoor burning! Cooking fires are ok as long as they're in a BBQ pit, there is water on hand and adult supervision. Try to keep the pit away from grass or other easily combustable materials.
2. Do not toss/discard lit cigarettes in trash or along the road! Use your ashtray in your vehicle. If outside, dip the cigarette in water before discarding.
3. No welding!
4. Do not use fireworks!
5. If your vehicle breaks down, do not drive it into the grassy area along the roadside. If you experience a vehicle fire, try to keep the vehicle on the road if possible.
6. If you witness any illegal activity concerning outdoor burning or fireworks, contact your local law enforcement agency ASAP!
7. Lawn & farm equipment should have properly working spark arresters to prevent sparks from exiting through the exhaust pipes.
8. All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) produce an enormous amount of heat and can ignite brush from their exhaust systems. Keep them out of grassy areas or away from easily combustable materials.
Time is critical, especially in rural areas. If you see smoke or suspect you see smoke, contact 911 or the local emergency number immediately!
