Cooksville Volunteer Fire Department

05/06/2026

During the burn ban CVFD responded to several illegal burns, many of them consisting of trash.

Deputy Chief R Blakely found some challenge coins that recognized the efforts of our firefighters during this “ challenging “ time.

Responders to these trashy calls were presented with coins that read “ The strongest steel is forged in the fire of a dumpster’.

What better way to celebrate the timeless trash talking team of thermal temperature reducers than to thank them by tossing a token at their torso tonight? 🤠.

05/04/2026

CVF’s Chief, Deputy Chief and FF/HRO joined with mutual aid members from Mountain View FD in Old Fort this morning to attend a training tour event at Fire Dex manufacturing.

Attendees were given a full factory tour on the manufacturing of the fire gear our firefighters depend on when responding.

Officials provided explanations of the process, testing, quality controls, and upgrades and changes and the input/ regulations of OSHA and NFPA in the process.

As technology advances, so does our protective gear. It was an insightful tour and boosted confidence in the PPE we use.

A huge thanks to the sponsors who provided a lunch and time for Q&A and discussions after the training session.

05/04/2026

CVFD is sharing the NC Forest Service Post that explains burn bans, lifting of burn bans and the science involved in making these determinations.

Several of CVFD members have completed the Wildfire training sessions, which are extensive and include training in not only fighting wildfires, but include types of wildfires, and topics such as weather ( clouds, inversions etc), and humidity, percentages, as well as other science based factors. These classes are augmented by specialty classes like chain saw, UTV and specialty vehicle operations, and courses in building Fire wise communities and construction and landscaping to protect homes and businesses.

While the burn ban may be lifted, we strongly urge you to be extremely cautious and remind everyone that a burn PERMIT is required, and all rules must be followed. Natural vegetation only, no trash, paper, plastic etc. those things are and have been a violation for well over 50 years now.

When assessing the need for burn bans, the N.C. Forest Service evaluates several factors. Those factors include weather, fire danger, fuel conditions, fire activity and the difficulty to control wildfires. In general, a burn ban is considered when the long-range forecast indicates weather and wildland fire conditions are expected to worsen, and we don’t see improvement in conditions on the ground. Resource availability is also part of the decision-making process when it comes to determining when and where burn bans are needed. This is also the case when we look at lifting burn bans or removing restrictions on open burning.

Let’s dissect the statewide ban that was enacted March 28. The ban was lifted for 81 counties effective 8 a.m., Sunday May 3 and remains in effect for 19 counties. Why?

First, let’s talk about drought. It took us a long time to reach the drought severity we’ve arrived at. It will take us a substantial stretch of time to recover. The U.S. Drought Monitor provides a “snapshot” of current conditions. A new drought monitor is released every Thursday. The data captured in that monitor is from the week leading up to that Thursday. In other words, the drought monitor is not a forecast. It’s a snapshot, essentially looking back over the period of a week at drought conditions leading up to the date the drought monitor is released. For example, if you look at the current drought monitor that was released Thursday, April 30, the data you’re looking at reflects conditions that existed between April 21 and April 28.

Now, let’s talk about rainfall and how that shows up in the drought monitor. Knowing that the current drought monitor reflects conditions through April 28, none of the rain received May 2 has impacted the monitor yet. You should see those impacts when the new monitor releases Thursday, May 7. Additionally, if the rain forecast for midweek this week does indeed arrive, you shouldn't see those impacts show up in the drought monitor for another week – not until Thursday, May 14.

When we look at fire danger, we rely on tools like the Fire Weather Intelligence Portal to help look at lots of variables at the same time, precipitation being one. In general, an inch or two of rain over a 7–10-day period indicates a beneficial wet period rather than a single storm event. If this amount of rain falls within a few hours, it can cause localized flooding. When spread over 7-10 days, it is a soaking rain that is absorbed rather well. Looking at the rain we received Saturday and considering the rainfall received over the previous six days, most areas of the state had received nearly an inch or more, except for a doughnut hole in the Triad area. See the map we’ve included. This map shows total rainfall received statewide between April 25 and May 2. Many areas were pushing close to an inch received, and many areas were better than an inch. While this isn’t enough to be a drought breaker, it does help lower fire danger. The beneficial week of rain, increased humidity and better overnight recovery have moderated fire danger enough to lift the ban for 81 counties. That doughnut hole in the Triad area just isn’t there yet, which is why the state-issued ban remains in effect for those 19 counties until conditions improve enough.

05/02/2026

Not only does the burn ban continue, now we add water restrictions. For our fire department, it means no washing fire trucks, no hydrant flushing or testing, and we need to conserve water whenever possible.

While the water restrictions are not currently affecting our ability to fight fires, cooperation during this drought goes a long way to insure your safety.

Extra diligence is needed to prevent fires and conserve water whenever possible. Thank you for supporting us and doing your part.

Due to ongoing extremely dry conditions across the region, the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW DMAG) has declared the Catawba-Wateree River Basin has entered Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP). In accordance with the City of Hickory’s Water Shortage Response Plan, Hickory has also officially entered Stage 2, triggering mandatory water use restrictions for all customers.

Catawba County residents who live in an unincorporated area should be aware of and follow all mandatory water conservation measures.

Each month during drought periods, CW DMAG evaluates lake levels, streamflows, groundwater, and other conditions. In the LIP, drought stages are determined by the following three indicators: (1) how much water is in the reservoirs, (2) how much water is flowing into the reservoirs, and (3) the U.S. Drought Monitor, a government site that indicates areas experiencing a drought and the drought’s severity. As of May 1, these indicators met the threshold for a Stage 2 declaration.

What Stage 2 Means
Stage 2 is the third of five drought stages and marks a shift from voluntary conservation to mandatory restrictions. While this stage does not indicate an emergency, it does require coordinated action from the community to protect the region’s shared water supply.

The goal of Stage 2 is to reduce overall water use by 5-10% to preserve reservoir storage, sustain downstream flow needs, and ensure drinking water availability across the basin until conditions improve.

Your cooperation is essential. By following the required restrictions now, we help safeguard water resources for everyone who relies on this shared system.

Mandatory Water Use Restrictions
Irrigation Schedule
• Odd addresses: Tuesdays and Saturdays
• Even addresses: Thursdays and Sundays
• Unnumbered addresses: Tuesdays and Saturdays

Additional Requirements
• No residential vehicle washing
• Reduce overall water use; shift discretionary use to early morning or late evening
• Stop operating ornamental fountains or water features that do not support animal life
• Do not fill residential swimming pools
• Do not top off swimming pools outside of assigned irrigation days

Prohibited Activities and Penalties
The following are prohibited during Stage 2:
• Watering lawns or turf outside the allowed schedule
• Operating ornamental water features without aquatic life
• Filling residential swimming pools
• Topping off pools outside assigned days

Violations may result in surcharges on your utility bill and potential loss of service:
• First violation: $100 (≤1.5” meter) or $200 (≥2” meter)
• Second violation: $200 (≤1.5” meter) or $400 (≥2” meter)
• Third violation: $300 (≤1.5” meter) or $600 (≥2” meter)

Customers with more than five violations risk loss of irrigation water service.

Areas Affected
All water consumers served by the City of Hickory, including:
• Customers billed directly by the City of Hickory
• Cities of Conover and Claremont
• Towns of Brookford, Catawba, Long View, and Maiden
• Portions of Alexander and Catawba counties
• Icard Township Water Corporation

Looking Ahead
If drought conditions continue, additional LIP stages—each with more stringent restrictions—may be activated. The County will provide timely updates as conditions evolve.

A Regional, Cooperative Effort
The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW DMAG), formed in 2006, brings together public water suppliers, industrial users, state and federal agencies, and Duke Energy to make coordinated decisions that protect the region’s shared water resources.

More Information
To learn more about drought conditions, Stage 2 restrictions, and conservation tips, visit www.hickorync.gov/drought. For additional water-saving resources, visit the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group at www.catawbawatereewmg.org. Customers not served by the City of Hickory water system should contact their local water provider for guidance.

04/27/2026

It’s still a drought. There is still a burn ban. You can still get fined. Don’t risk it.

The statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice despite weekend rain in some areas. Persistent dry weather and increasing rainfall deficits from the last several months have left most of the state needing 10 inches of rain or more.

“While the rainfall we received over the weekend was a welcome sight, it offered little to no relief from widespread drought conditions while being nowhere near enough to reduce our wildfire risk,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Even the areas that received the heaviest amount of rain will quickly dry out from the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Until we get some additional rain and see more green-up in our forests, holding the burn ban in place statewide is the best option right now.”

While green-up and leaf-out are progressing at normal rate, low soil moisture, dry surface fuels and persistent low humidity are contributing to wildfire activity. For Western North Carolina, excessive forest fuels from Hurricane Helene are more available now than they were in 2025, low water levels in coastal areas have helped produce intense fire behavior where ground fire will likely be a long-term issue, and the Piedmont experienced 87 new wildfire starts over the weekend alone. Extended attack and mop-up efforts will be taxing and long-winded until drought conditions improve.

Read news release: https://bit.ly/497dNht

04/22/2026

Another full duty day at CVFD.
It started with weekly truck checks on E-145 in the morning. Hand mixing and pouring 16 bags of donated concrete to extend the sidewalk towards the HQ building. Moving cross lay racks on Brush 144 to add braces tomorrow when the welder arrives.

As evening approached, additional truck checks on the remaining engines and trucks were done. As full help arrived, it was all hands on deck to do some erector set construction in the bays. Everything was removed, moved, disassembled and then re-assembled as it turns out there were two different lengths of shelving bars causing the shelves to form a V pattern.

We didn’t get it all done, but the heavy construction is done. Next projects are to get things stored properly and neatly.

04/19/2026

CVFD is manning the Catawba Firefighters Association Fire Museum today. Come see our QRV, and one of our very first firetrucks on display in the museum.

04/18/2026

Looking for something to do Sunday afternoon?
Interested in the history of the fire service in Catawba County?
Like fire trucks- antique fire trucks?

Come visit the CVFD volunteers at the Catawba Firefighters Association Fire Museum! 3957 Herman Sipe Rd Conover. Cooksville members are some of the few volunteers in the county that man the museum on a regular basis.

We will have our QRV-148 on site. This specialized/converted truck is Cooksville’s Quick Response Vehicle. It is equipped and designed to provide a rapid response to a scene. Manned by a volunteer that is Fire/Technical Rescue/ EMT certified, it provides the ability to put “eyes on” an emergency and start a response. It is equipped to fight limited structure fires as well as wildfires, carries medical equipment, extrication equipment, limited HAZMAT capabilities, and Traffic Incident Management equipment. All on board equipment is battery operated, including warning and portable lighting.

Come and visit- we will be there from 1PM-4PM.
Take a free tour of the museum and our QRV. 👨‍🚒👩‍🚒🚒🧯🧑🏿‍🚒

04/18/2026

CVFD was out on Mull Rd for an illegal burn. A log pile was left unattended in a dry grass field.
QRV-148 and Brush-144 extinguished the fire. Addition units including E-141, E-142, T-143, C-146, and T-147 were staged nearby on Mull road as a precaution due to the wind, burn ban, and drought conditions state wide.

Forestry will conduct a follow up investigation and possible prosecution if warranted.

04/16/2026

Equipment carry challenge with Jr member Tyler Hull.

04/16/2026

Timed event skills challenge to don all equipment. CVFD junior member Tyler Hull competing