Potter County Fire-Rescue

We have seen some posts about people intending on closing streets in neighborhoods in Potter County.

FYI, that is a criminal offense if it is a county road. If you do it and it impedes our emergency response, it could be a felony. Please don't attempt to close and public roadways. Here is the applicable statute

Texas Penal Code - PENAL § 42.03. Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway
Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) A person commits an offense if, without legal privilege or authority, he intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:

(1) obstructs a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, entrance, or exit to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access, or any other place used for the passage of persons, vehicles, or conveyances, regardless of the means of creating the obstruction and whether the obstruction arises from his acts alone or from his acts and the acts of others; or

(2) disobeys a reasonable request or order to move issued by a person the actor knows to be or is informed is a peace officer, a fireman, or a person with authority to control the use of the premises:

(A) to prevent obstruction of a highway or any of those areas mentioned in Subdivision (1); or

(B) to maintain public safety by dispersing those gathered in dangerous proximity to a fire, riot, or other hazard.

(b) For purposes of this section, “obstruct” means to render impassable or to render passage unreasonably inconvenient or hazardous.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by Subsections (c-1), (d), and (e), an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

(c-1) An offense under this section is a state jail felony if, in committing the offense, the actor knowingly:

(1) prevents the passage of an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined by Section 541.201, Transportation Code, that is operating the vehicle's emergency audible or visual signals required by Section 546.003, Transportation Code; or

(2) obstructs access to a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or other health care facility that provides emergency medical care, as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.

(d) Subject to Subsection (e), an offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that, at the time of the offense, the person was operating a motor vehicle while engaging in a reckless driving exhibition.

(e) An offense under this section is a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that, at the time of the offense, the person was operating a motor vehicle while engaging in a reckless driving exhibition, and:

(1) the person has previously been convicted of an offense punishable under Subsection (d);

(2) at the time of the offense, the person was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, as defined by Section 49.01; or

(3) a person suffered bodily injury as a result of the offense.

(f) For purposes of this section, “reckless driving exhibition” means an operator of a motor vehicle, on a highway or street and in the presence of two or more persons assembled for the purpose of spectating the conduct, intentionally:

(1) breaking the traction of the vehicle's rear tires;

(2) spinning the vehicle's rear tires continuously by pressing the accelerator and increasing the engine speed; and

(3) steering the vehicle in a manner designed to rotate the vehicle.

(g) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section or the other law, but not both.

Here is a release from the Potter County Fire Marshall clarifying the procedure around Judge Tanner's emergency burn ban order.

Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner has declared a Local Disaster and Outdoor Burning Ban due to deteriorating drought conditions and the imminent threat of wildfires. PCFR has responded to several fires in the last few days and the danger is very real. Despite recent rainfall, the wildfire risk is still extremely high.

THIS BAN DOES NOT PROHIBIT OUTDOOR COOKING OR THE USE OF FIREWORKS ON PRIVATE LAND WITH LANDOWNER APPROVAL.

Fireworks are still illegal in the city of Amarillo.
Fireworks may not be used on State Parks or on public ditches, roads, or rights of way.
Don't leave grills or smokers unattended.
Have water available to extinguish any fires.
Call 911 immediately if a fire starts. We would rather be canceled enroute than to have an unnecessary delay. Unfought fire can double in size every minute.
Don't allow children to use fireworks.
Never hold fireworks in your hand.
Follow instructions on the packaging for any fireworks.

In case you thought the fire danger was gone, Potter County Fire Rescue is currently responding to a wildfire off South Highway 287.

UPDATE 4:12 PM: The fire is out.

Come see us this Friday at Our Blood Institute at Coffee Memorial Blood Center! Give some blood and vote for Boots!

obi.bynder.com

Please don't do this. If there is an emergency we will not be able to respond quickly.

📍 Bushland

“Bushland under bridge. People blocking the entire underpass”

Potter County Fire Rescue sends our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and members of Odessa Fire Rescue following the loss of Lieutenant Isai Huerta.

Congratulations to PCFR Captain Jusiak on completion of his Associate in Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology at Amarillo College ! Strong work!

Potter County Fire Rescue had the opportunity to support 24 hours in the canyon this past weekend. PCFR assisted with medical services for riders along with the ER on Soncy, and AFD and numerous volunteers. The event had 850 bikes riding solo or teams for 24 hours. This is a fundraiser put on by the Harrington Cancer Survivorship Center, providing free services to cancer patients. There was over 450,000 dollars raised during this event.