On Saturday night, a fast‑moving grass fire broke out in the 200 block of Burns Drive in the unincorporated community of Sand Branch, Dallas County. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department issued an alert around 10 p.m., warning residents of the rapidly spreading flames.
Dallas Fire‑Rescue answered a mutual‑aid request at 10:29 p.m. and, upon arrival, a battalion chief reported a fire covering approximately ten acres of dry grass, brush, trash and debris piles, with two structures also at risk. The blaze prompted a massive, multi‑department response that has continued into the following afternoon.
Coordinated response from dozens of units
Fire‑rescue personnel deployed five engines, two trucks, one booster, a brush truck and a rescue unit on the scene. In total, the incident has drawn 16 engines, five trucks, four boosters, three brush trucks and three rescue units, along with additional support staff. The Terrell Volunteer Fire Department confirmed that agencies from Dallas, Combine, Crandall, Kaufman, Bristol, Wilmer, Seagoville, Ovilla and several other neighboring jurisdictions have been called to assist.
Because the fire is burning through piles of brush, trash and debris, crews are using an excavator to dig out hidden hot spots while aerial ladders and hand lines are employed to extinguish flames as they are exposed. Suppression and containment efforts have been ongoing throughout the night and remain active this afternoon, with officials warning that the operation may continue for an extended period.
Infrastructure concerns highlighted
State Representative James Talarico issued a statement after the fire, emphasizing the community’s long‑standing lack of basic infrastructure. “For too long, Sand Branch has been denied basic infrastructure to keep its residents safe and healthy. The community has no running water, no sewer system, and no fire hydrants — so when last night’s fire broke out, firefighters were forced to haul water into the community,” Talarico said. He called on state leaders to prioritize water infrastructure for Sand Branch and pledged to take the issue to Washington.
There have been no reported injuries, and officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. The exact time needed to fully extinguish the blaze remains uncertain, but fire‑rescue teams are prepared to maintain their efforts until the last ember is out.
What residents can do
Authorities urge Sand Branch residents to stay informed through local alerts and to follow any evacuation or safety instructions issued by first‑responders. The community’s lack of fire hydrants underscores the importance of preparedness and the need for long‑term infrastructure improvements.
As the fire continues to be contained, the collaborative effort of dozens of fire departments demonstrates the region’s commitment to protecting its neighborhoods, even in areas that have historically been underserved.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
