By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A volunteer firefighter from the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department died after being overcome by heavy smoke while battling a grass fire in Titus County, Texas.
• Firefighter Jeff Derrick became disoriented when shifting winds changed the fire’s direction as crews worked to control the blaze.
• The incident occurred Friday near FM 21 as firefighters responded to a tractor fire that spread into dry pastureland.
• Derrick was trying to reach his vehicle to escape when he was overcome by smoke and died at the scene, authorities said.
• Mutual aid was provided by Mount Pleasant crews; investigations into the fire conditions are ongoing.
TITUS COUNTY, TX — A Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department firefighter died Friday after being overcome by smoke while battling a grass fire that spread near FM 21 in Titus County, Texas, fire officials said.
Firefighter Jeff Derrick became disoriented when winds shifted and altered the blaze’s direction as crews worked to contain the fire that began as a tractor blaze and extended into adjacent pastureland, the department said.
Derrick attempted to return to his vehicle to escape but was overcome by heavy smoke in extreme conditions and died at the scene, according to a department release.
Crews from Mount Pleasant and Tri-Lakes responded with multiple brush trucks and a tanker to support firefighting efforts in challenging wind and terrain conditions.
Authorities continue to review the incident and fire conditions as part of the response and safety assessment.