Erath County is now under a burn ban again until the item can be discussed at the March 10 commissioners court meeting.
The burn ban was put back into place Monday, March 3 due to low rainfall amounts and high winds anticipated over the next week.
Over the weekend, Dublin Volunteer Fire Department was busy responding to two structure fires inside the city limits, both of which resulted in complete losses for the families. Sunday was a Red Flag Warning day meaning wind and humidity conditions make it more dangerous to start fires.
Around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 2, emergency services responded to a home on Pearl Street with a fully involved vehicle/shed fire.
According to Fire Marshal Tommy Shelton, the home owners were burning cardboard boxes in the backyard when wind blew embers into the shed where the vehicle and shop caught fire.
The shed and vehicle were a complete loss. Inside the shed were painting supplies for a painting business that was a complete loss.
Emergency services were also called for a fire involving several structures on Gracie Street around 2 p.m. Sunday.
According to the fire marshal, an individual was burning boxes in a fire pit when it ignited the house. The home and vehicle were a complete loss and were uninsured.
Currently, Stone’s Auto is accepting gift cards for food and Dairy Queen meals for the family that lost their home.
The neighbor’s home was also heavily damaged in the fire and there were also several spot fires throughout the neighborhood.
“They had to pull the ceiling and vent the roof which caused additional damage,” Shelton said about the neighboring home.
“Even when there is not a burn ban, you can be held liable if your burning damages your neighbor’s property,” Shelton said.
Dublin VFD, Lingleville VFD, Erath County Fire Rescue, Precinct 2 County Commissioner Albert Ray, Erath County Fire Marshal’s Office, Dublin PD, DPS, Erath County Sheriff ’s Office and Dublin EMS all responded to the structure fires.
Other additional fires over the weekend included a controlled burn that got out of hand in Morgan Mill and an old brush pile that reignited Sunday near Timber Hills.
The fire marshal urged those who may see smoke to call it in immediate due to high winds this week.
Individuals were woken up overnight on Monday as high, straightline winds blew through the area with a line of thunderstorms.
The National Weather Service placed Central and North Texas in a wind advisory on Monday warning people of 30-50 mph winds anticipated overnight and into Tuesday.
Dublin itself suffered minor inconveniences like trashcans strewn about, other than Taqueria El Rio y Mariscos sign dropping to the ground.
However in the county and in Stephenville damage was seen to power lines when poles were literally snapped.
Per Stephenville Police Chief Dan Harris, after the storm most of the southeast side of town, including traffic lights, were without power but Oncor was immediately on scene and able to get it back on.
Several trees were knocked down and a power pole was down on Morgan Mill Road.
The Tarleton Dairy also sustained some high wind damage.
Wide spread power outages were experienced throughout the area affecting citizens throughout Central and North Texas.
A tornado watch was issued Tuesday morning as the line of thunderstorms moved through.