2-20-04 - For the third straight day, grass fires are burning across parts of Texoma. But in addition to claiming hundreds of acres, they’re also burning up the budgets of many volunteer departments.
Over the last two days, an estimated 1,500 acres have burned in Carter County alone, the result of dozens of large and small fires. The county has twelve volunteer fire departments, which all work together to battle the blazes. But yesterday, the county faced four large fires burning at one time, which spread equipment and manpower extremely thin.
The volunteer firefighters aren't paid, but county funds are spent each time these departments are activated. Simply put, more fires mean more money being burned. Dickson Fire Chief Troy Duke says “We have limited resources to begin with, and most of that goes to the purchase of equipment, so when we have areas and times of heavy use, and heavy fire loads, that's when we make a lot of runs and it does tax our monthly income."
The volunteer fire departments across much of Texoma work on a mutual aid agreements, meaning they respond to fires in other fire districts. Most rely on donations and community support to keep fighting fires.
Posted: 05/22/13 - (Idabel, Okla.) – For anyone interested in learning more about building preservation, Idabel Main Street will host “Historic Building Maintenance,” a workshop on the care and maintenance of the historic district, June 25th, from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, at the Idabel Public Library. Read More
Posted: 05/08/13 - The Sherman Public Library is very excited about our upcoming Summer Reading Club for children and teens. Children ages birth-11 can Dig into Reading and join the Youth Summer Reading Club. The theme for the Teen Summer Reading Club this year is Beneath the Surface and it is open to teens ages 12-18. Read More
Posted: 05/07/13 - DURANT, Okla. – Regent Terry Matlock will deliver remarks at Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Spring Commencement, scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at Paul Laird Field. The ceremony (for all schools) will begin at 10 a.m. A reception will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the Visual & Performing Arts Center. Read More
