Highlands Lakes Volunteer Fire Department

06/02/2026

Members from Station 1,2,4 and 7 participated in extraction training at Station 1 tonight. Thanks to Montague Family Towing Llc for their support and providing vehicles for our members sharpen their skills.

05/31/2026

🌧️ Recent rainfall across Highlands County is welcome news, and conditions are beginning to improve.

However, drought recovery doesn't happen overnight.

While rain helps moisten grasses and surface vegetation, it can take weeks or even months of consistent rainfall for deeper soil moisture levels to fully recover after an extended drought.

That means wildfire risk can remain elevated even when everything looks greener than it did a few days ago.

The recent rain is a step in the right direction, but continued caution and outdoor fire safety remain important throughout Highlands County.

🔥 Stay alert.
🔥 Follow local burn restrictions.
🔥 Be mindful of activities that could create sparks or open flames.

Small actions can help prevent wildfires while our area continues to recover.

05/04/2026

Happy international Star Wars Day. May the force be with you.

03/23/2026

Out with the old and in with the new! We put a new Brush truck in service today. The new Brush 1 will replace a 26 year old Dodge truck. Thanks to HCFR Administration for making this possible.

02/02/2026

This is how it felt the last couple of days here in Avon Park. Hope everyone is staying warm.

01/02/2026

Tanker 1 assisted Polk County Fire Rescue with a vehicle fire today on US Hwy 27 north of the Highlands County Line.

01/02/2026

The burn ban has ended in Highlands County. We are still at a very high fire risk. Please be safe and follow the below tips for safe burning.

Although the burn ban has ended, drought conditions remain.

Approximately half of the county is experiencing a severe drought, while the other half remains under a moderate drought. Residents are urged to use extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

If you choose to burn this weekend, do so safely and responsibly. Keep water or a fire extinguisher readily available to fully extinguish flames. Do not use unsafe fuels, such as gasoline, to ignite or maintain a fire.

Thoroughly saturate the ground surrounding any fire pit or burn area with water to help prevent embers or sparks from spreading.

Always follow required setbacks and local guidelines for safe burning.

Remember, unsafe burning may place not only your own property at risk, but also neighboring homes and loved ones.

Please burn responsibly.

12/31/2025

We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy new year.

12/25/2025

We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

12/16/2025

Members from Highlands Lakes and West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department spent the evening training on extraction. Special thanks to Montague Family Towing Llc for bringing the vehicles for training and supporting our department.