The brush fire that burned 76 acres of land, a shed and a metal barn in Bergheim last Tuesday was the result of a controlled burn that got out of hand, indicating the homeowner was not paying attention to the burn ban in effect for the county since early this year.
It was one of two controlled burns that ended with intervention from the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department last week on Rodalyn Drive alone, suggesting there may be a lack of awareness of the dry and windy conditions facing the county this winter. The conditions create dangerous fire-spreading scenarios, Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department Chief Adam Hawkins said, and local firefighters are urging residents to heed their warnings and adhere to the burn ban that remains in effect.
The larger brush fire came close to Voss Middle School, 45 Voss Parkway off of Highway 46, and reached the back of the school property, but never reached the actual campus.
“The campus building was not affected and all students and staff remained safe,” Boerne ISD Director of Communications Bryan Benway told The Star. “Dismissal continued as regularly scheduled at 4 p.m.”
The fire was reported mid-afternoon on Feb. 15 near the school. Students were never believed to be in danger.
However, Hawkins said the students systematically were released to reduce traffic in the area as firefighters responded to the burning acreage. Additionally, Hawkins said the shopping area near the school was evacuated because the area was needed as a central command location for first responders battling the flames. He also said the evacuation was warranted to get vehicles and other personal property out of the area should the fire jump Farm-to-Market Road 3351.
Hawkins said a barn and a small shed were the only structures to have caught fire, but the barn was metal so no serious damage was done. Hawkins said the small utility shed sustained minor damage, but nothing significant was noted.
While the fire was contained and at bay by later Tuesday afternoon, Hawkins said Bergheim firefighters checked the location several times Wednesday to confirm the fire was still extinguished since there were critical fire conditions present, creating risk the fire could start back up. Hawkins also said the Texas A&M Forrest Service, which also responded to the fire, won’t consider a fire completely stomped until there’s confirmation the fire is still out the next day.
The two fires on Rodalyn drive within two days of each other is an example of the number of calls for service Hawkins said is “just blowing up,” providing an example for the local volunteer fire department’s continued efforts to get an emergency service district measure on the November election ballot for the growing city at the intersection of FM 3351 and Highway 46.
ESDs are an individually recognized political subdivision that can be developed by a public vote after a petition with 100 signatures is presented to the county. The independent districts have a board of commissioners which establish an ad valorem tax rate – which, by state law, cannot exceed 10 cents per $100 of taxable valuation – and can collect part of county sales taxes in their district. The ESD commissioners also would be the overarching entity for all emergency services incorporated into the district and would approve budgets and expenditures.
ESDs are created to fund fire protection services, emergency medical services or sometimes both. At this time, Kendall County primarily has looked at creating an ESD to fund fire protection services.
Last Monday, the Kendall County commissioners voted to put an item on their March 14 agenda to discuss placing the creation of an ESD in Bergheim on the November ballot. On that day, Hawkins said those in the intended service area of the ESD will have a chance to speak for or against creating the political subdivision. Then, the commissioners will vote on whether or not it will move to the ballot.
“We’re hoping it’s going to move forward,” Hawkins said. “But that’s the day we will decide if it’s going on the November ballot.”
Hawkins said the Bergheim VFD is comprised of 100 percent volunteer, nonpaid staffing. He said an ESD would allow the fire department to better respond the rapidly growing number of calls for service in the area, saying it could allow them to hire full-time employees and possibly build a second fire station.
If the ESD is moved to the November ballot and voters approve it, the newly formed ESD would become an independent taxing entity with a taxing rate set by an ESD board.
Comment
Comments