With local VFD's stretched thin, there are some common sense ways the public can help out

Our area is under a Burn Ban. In fact all adjacent counties are as well. So often people ignore the bans and try to burn brush, garbage or whatever, which can result in serious issues.

What many people don't realize is that the bans are enacted for good reason. Drought and wind can make a deadly combination. When firefighters are stretched thin, running from one situation to the next, the chances of something going terribly wrong rise dramatically.

How busy could they possibly be?

Very busy!

At 1:13 today, Roganville Volunteer Fire Department was called out to Cr 425, because of heavy smoke in the air. However, no fire was found.

Then at 1:52 today, the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department was called out to the area of 6035 us highway 96, just north of FM 1005 for a woods fire.

Roganville Fire Chief Mike Smith said, "I don't think they ever found fire on that one either. I think it's smoke from a large controlled burn in La."

Then at 2:07 pm, Tri-Community VFD was also called out to assist Jasper VFD which was requesting manpower and assistance.

Before that, Trout Creek and Kirbyville VFD's were called out to a stove fire which followed the early morning woods fire we reported on that happened at 5:20 this morning near Cougar Country. Buna and Kirbyville departments were called out to that one.

Somewhere in the mix, our volunteer firefighters also have to be available to assist with wrecks, accidents of all kinds, and landing zones for medical helicopters.

Just such a situation occurred today at 12:20 pm, Kirbyville VFD was called to 633 Cr 575 in Call to set up a landing zone for Allegiance EMS to transport a medical emergency.

That is around 8.5 hours out of one day, and those aren't the only calls these departments have received today. It's also not including other local departments in our region. On top of that, fire fighters also have to find the time to go to work, spend time with family, eat, and sleep.

These are just a few of many reasons to adhere to burn ban rules. And it also demonstrates the necessity to use caution when using equipment outdoors, and even discarding cigarettes. Your life, property, and lives of fire fighters depend on it.

Photos courtesy of KVFD 2nd Assistant Chief Jeromy Richardson taken at the landing zone in Call today