County firefighters kept busy as temperatures soar

A burn ban violation caused a major grass fire in Milam County on Sunday afternoon.

Cameron Volunteer Fire Department responded about 2:20 p.m. on Sunday to a large grass fire on CR 275. 

Cameron VFD Captain Phillip Dohnalik said crews arrived on scene and located a large fire moving fast toward a wooded area. Cameron called Rosebud VFD for mutual assistance and the Forest Service was also called. 

The Forest Service brought a bulldozer and made fire lines to help fight the blaze. 

Crews were able to contain the fire to about 21 acres and cleared the scene about 10 p.m. after nearly eight hours of fire fighting. 

Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said the fire was likely caused by a burn ban violator.

Clore reminds everyone that the county is under a burn ban and anyone burning will be cited.

It was another busy day for area fire departments on Tuesday.

There were nine total calls for service Tuesday throughout the county. 

The Milano Volunteer Fire Department about 5:41 a.m. in reference to a vehicle fire on US 79. Around 9 a.m. Cameron VFD was called for a car fire just inside the Milam-Falls County line. However, Rosebud VFD got to the scene first and Cameron crews returned to base. Rockdale VFD responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 79. 

Just before 1 p.m., fire departments from Rockdale, Thorndale, and Milano responded to a major grass fire near the Rockdale Intermediate School. The fire did not reach school property or cause any damage to the campus. 

The fire was eventually contained, though it rekindled about 4:30 p.m. 

Rockdale ISD Superintendent Denise Monzingo issued a letter to parents and residents in order to update them about the fire. Monzingo noted school would resume as normal on Wednesday thanks to swift actions by the volunteer fire department and Rockdale Police. 

Fire departments from Milano, Cameron, and Rockdale worked together for a trailer house fire in the 400 block of CR 381 near Milano. 

Milano VFD Chief Kain Dodd said crews made an interior attack and put out the fire, which was contained to a single room and its contents. Dodd said the fire started as a grass fire in the front yard and spread under the home. There were no injuries. 

Thorndale fire crews were sent about 4:20 p.m. to a grass fire in the 5200 block of CR 429. 

Cameron VFD also responded for a small grass fire on FM 485 near CR 148. That last call came in about 4:30 p.m.