Commissioners to revisit burn ban during fire safety week

GAINESVILLE, Texas — Cooke County commissioners will meet in a special session Friday, Oct. 9, to take up the county burn ban, while Gainesville Fire-Rescue uses this week's Fire Prevention Week to push safety tips tied to two recent house and vehicle fires. The special Commissioners Court is set for 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of the Cooke County Courthouse. The burn ban is listed under Commissioner Jason Snuggs. County Judge John O. Roane and County Clerk Pam Harrison signed the notice, which was filed Oct. 2. The meeting will stream on the county's YouTube channel, and the County Judge's office can be reached at 940-668-5435. Cooke County appeared on the Texas A&M Forest Service list of counties with burn bans dated Oct. 5. Commissioners took no action on a burn-ban item Sept. 14, and the ban was on the Sept. 28 agenda again. Minutes from Sept. 28 had not been posted as of Oct. 6. Gainesville Fire-Rescue is marking Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Oct. 10, under the National Fire Protection Association theme "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower." The theme focuses on safely charging lithium-ion devices such as phones, tools and e-bikes. The department also released findings on two September fires. On Sept. 8 at about 12:42 a.m., firefighters answered a third-alarm fire at a one-story home in the 400 block of N. Denton St. Investigators ruled it accidental, most likely caused by an electrical failure from overcurrent on an extension cord. The home had no working smoke alarms. No one was inside, and no one was hurt. On Sept. 9 at about 9:26 p.m., Engine 2 found a motor home burning in a driveway in the 900 block of Mesquite St. The owner and two dogs got out before firefighters arrived. The motor home was a total loss. Investigators ruled the fire accidental, caused by a mechanical failure in the refrigerator. After the Denton Street fire, the department reminded residents not to use extension cords as permanent wiring, not to chain cords or power strips together, and not to run cords under rugs or through doorways. "The way you charge your lithium-ion battery-powered devices can make a difference in helping prevent home fires," said Tamara Sieger, emergency management and community risk specialist for Gainesville Fire-Rescue. The department advises using the charger that came with a device, charging on hard surfaces instead of beds or couches, unplugging devices once fully charged, and charging e-bikes and scooters outside, away from exits. Fire Prevention Week events wrap up Saturday, Oct. 10, with a Hose-Off tournament at 10 a.m. at FireHouse 1918, 115 E. Pecan St., and a smoke house for children from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gainesville Farmers Market during Depot Day. For details, call 940-668-5734.