Fire Departments in Eastland County are feeling the financial and equipment stress in fighting these raging wildfires that have been persistent in the county for the past week.
There are eight fire departments in Eastland County. There is no “county” fire department and each of these eight departments not only protects the area within their city limits but also an area of the county outside their city limits. Mutual aid is relied on often, especially this past week when dry conditions, high temperatures, and extreme winds kept wildfires going and popping up in several locations. The Eastland Complex Fire which is a combination of 7 different fires in Eastland County, has so far absorbed 54,513 acres and is 75% contained as of Wednesday afternoon.
Two resources fire departments are always looking for are volunteer firefighters and money.
Eastland County has an estimated population of 17,864. The larger populated towns in the county (as of 2018) are Eastland, pop 3919; Cisco, pop 3750; and Ranger pop 2419. The rest of the towns with fire departments in order of population are Gorman, pop 1039; Rising Star, pop 829; Olden, pop 357; Desdemona, pop 331, and Carbon, pop 272. These fire departments, especially those in the smaller towns, rely heavily on donations to protect their citizens and those outside the city limits.
If you would like to donate to a general fund or would like to donate to a specific fire department the links are available below.
A HUGE THANK YOU to all the men and women who volunteer to fight these fires under all conditions at all hours of the day or night, weekdays, weekends, and holidays!!
Although very much appreciated, the fire departments have received all the water donations they can store right now. The best way to help is through financial donations.
Carbon VFD serves the town of Carbon which sits near the center of Eastland County and was hit hardest by the Eastland Complex Fires. Carbon VFD does not have a Venmo account but reports that you can donate through Venmo using @CarbonCommunityBaptist. Please make a note: “Fire Department” in order to differentiate funds coming for department and fire victims. Department Mailing address is PO Box 607 Carbon, TX 76435
Follow Carbon Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook
Cisco Fire Department is located on the west side of the county along I-20. Donations can be made through Venmo @ciscofd-1 or by mail to: Cisco Fire Department, 411 Conrad Hilton, Cisco, Tx 76437.
Follow Cisco Fire Department on Facebook
Desdemona VFD reminds the public that the men and women fighting these fires out of Desdemona are volunteers. They are using gear that has been expired for more than 10 years and they’re using a brush truck with over 100,000 miles on it. Desdemona sits along the Eastland County border in the southeast portion of Eastland County. To donate through Venmo: @dvfd1974 Checks can be made out to Desdemona VFD and mailed to: PO Box 86 Desdemona Tx 76445.
Follow Desdemona Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook
Eastland Fire Department is located between Cisco and Ranger on I-20. They report that while battling the Eastland Complex fires, one of their brush trucks experienced multiple mechanical breakdowns, which required it to leave the fire line repeatedly and rendered it useless for fire suppression or home protection. This truck has now been removed from service. Donations can be made through Venmo @EastlandVolunteer-FireDepart-1 Donations can be dropped off or mailed to: 414 South Seaman Street, Eastland, Tx 76448.
Follow Eastland Fire Department on Facebook
Gorman VFD is southeast of Carbon and also received damage from the fires. They prefer monetary donations by check made out to Gorman FVD, but they do have a Venmo account @gorman__firedept Mailing address for checks is PO Box 236, Gorman, Tx 76454
Follow Gorman Fire Department on Facebook
Olden Volunteer Fire Department is located between Eastland and Ranger on I-20. Donations can be made through Venmo @OLDENVFD Mail donations to PO Box 194, Olden, Tx 76466
Follow Olden VFD on Facebook
Ranger Volunteer Fire Department is located on I-20 in the northeast part of Eastland County. Ranger has not only responded to the Eastland Complex fires but also had several structures catch on fire in town on March 17th about the same time the wildfires took off. Donations can be made through Venmo @RangerVolunteerFireDepartment-
PayPal is @rangerfd1919 Mailing address: 500 E. Loop 254, Ranger, TX 76470
Follow Ranger Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook
Rising Star VFD: After breaking a record on calls for the 2nd month in a row, Rising Star VFD is in the southernmost section of Eastland County and reports that they lost the front end from one brush truck and two pumps.
Venmo donations @RisingStarVolunteerFireDept Mailing address: PO Box 547 Rising Star, Tx 76471
Another option for donations to Rising Star VFD (credit/debit cards and GPay can be used here): Rising Star VFD – Support (risingstarfd.org)
Follow Rising Star Fire Department on Facebook
EASTLAND COUNTY DESIGNATED FUND FOR IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS
- Eastland County Fire Relief Fund, The Community Foundation has partnered with the Eastland Community Foundation to establish the Eastland County Relief Fund. This fund will provide grants to fire departments and nonprofits serving people and businesses affected by ongoing fires in Eastland County. Funds will stay local to support long term community recovery needs.
