Paducah Fire Department

08/24/2026

Update: An Extreme Heat Warning and Heat Advisories are in effect across the South Plains, Rolling Plains and southeast New Mexico Monday afternoon and evening. Dangerous hot weather is forecast. Follow heat safety tips, stay cool and stay hydrated!

08/15/2026

Update from TFS. Fire is 100 percent contained this evening!!

Approx. .93 miles W of Hwy 83 at Milepost 350, North of Paducah

08/14/2026

All FD trucks and members are back at the station for the night. TFS as well as TIFMIS strike teams will remain on scene through the night monitoring control lines. Today we experienced deadly wildfire conditions with temps well over 100 degrees, shifting winds and very erratic fire behavior. It’s estimated over 1,400 acres burned today. Several structures were threatened but fire crews were successful putting in fire guards and standing guard against the approaching fire. Numerous fire retardant air drops from single engine aircraft were made including several retardant drops from the large air tankers. There are so many individuals to thank that sent water, food, heavy equipment, manpower and also monetary donations we can’t name them all. Also a big thanks to our neighboring FD’s who called to see what we needed or how they could help. We appreciate everyone that pitched in to help in one way or another. Thanks again for always supporting us!!

08/13/2026

🔥UPDATE🔥

•Forward progression has stopped

•25% contained

• Please avoid the areas from County road 112 all the way north to Fm3256 as crews will be in and out controlling the sides and flanks of the fire.

08/13/2026

•Fire is still 0% containment.

•Forrest service Dozers and Air Attack planes are on scene

•Any water food donation can be taken to Texas Farm Bureau office south side of the square in Paducah

08/13/2026

🔥 PSA 🔥

• Paducah Fire dept is on an active wildfire west of County Road 112.

• Other Mutual Aid Agency’s are enroute.

• Please avoid the area!

• Containment 0%

07/31/2026

Paducah Fire Department public service announcement

Residents of Cottle County we are seeing an increase in traffic accidents the last few weeks. The majority of these wrecks involve construction vehicles. With all the influx of workers, material and equipment working and traveling thru Cottle County many of these drivers are not paying attention and disregard traffic laws. Distracted driving, physical exhaustion and excessive speed are just some of the contributing causes to these wrecks. In the last couple weeks we have also responded to some of our neighboring county’s for mutual aid for major wrecks involving rock trucks. This is a growing problem that’s affecting our own local citizens safety and isn’t going away anytime soon. When you are traveling please drive defensive and be alert to your surroundings. Most importantly wear your seat belts and stay off your cell phone while driving. Distracted driving kills.

Please pass along, thank you

Ron Gilbert
Fire Chief
Paducah Fire Department

07/28/2026

Wise words from our fellow firefighters in Knox County!

07/21/2026

At 3:15 this morning we were paged to a semi trailer on fire just on the south side of town right outside the city. The trailer was hauling large spools of industrial electrical wiring. The cause of the fire appears to be related to a wheel bearing going out and extreme heat caught the rear tires of the trailer on fire. Residents heard what they thought was an explosion but was likely just the tires blowing out in the fire. There was nothing explosive in the freight. We would like to think the Cottle County Sheriff’s Office and the Cottle County Txdot employees for keeping traffic back while we fought this fire. Also a big thanks to K3 Towing and recovery out of Childress for their quick response in cleaning up the area.