Records from the Texas Forest Service show that Bee County fire departments have responded to grass and brush fires burning more than 5,200 acres in Bee and surrounding counties.

Open range fires cause considerable concern to fire departments throughout Texas because of the amount of resources needed to extinguish these fires and the danger it imposes on homes and communities.

Education of the public to the dangerous conditions during the dry seasons is a continuing program that requires information to be passed on to all residents. Many homes and citizens do not read the newspaper or watch news programs when burn bans are announced. In order to try and notify as many residents as possible the Bee County Fire Protection Association Inc. has discussed and wants to install “Burn Ban” signs at strategic locations throughout Bee County.

Each volunteer fire department has identified locations where they would like to see “Burn Ban” signs installed. To install the signs at the identified locations, 46 signs would need to be purchased at a price of $60 each for a total of $2,760.

Bee County fire departments have budgeted their funds for fighting fires and replacing equipment. No funds are available to purchase the needed signs. Each fire department is requesting that concerned citizens donate funds to their department to purchase the needed signs. Citizens wishing to donate toward the purchase of the signs may contact their local volunteer fire department in order to make the donation. It is asked that if checks are written, please indicate “Burn Ban” on the check, indicating what the donation is for.

Your support of this program may save hundreds of thousands of dollars in property loss in Bee County as well as prevent citizens from violating any “Burn Ban” ordinances. If donors wish to do so, they may make a donation to the Bee County Fire Protection Inc. at P.O. Box 67, Beeville TX 78104.