TITUS COUNTY, Texas — Officials have identified the firefighter who died while battling a grass fire in Titus County on Feb. 27.
Tri Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Jeff Derrick was among the crews that responded to a tractor fire that spread to a nearby pasture at 1485 FM 21 in East Texas, authorities said.
| MORE: The Yard Foundation: Built by firefighters for firefighters in need
While crews were battling the blaze, shifting winds changed the fire’s direction, and Derrick attempted to return to his vehicle, CBS 19 reported.
Officials said he became disoriented and ran toward the highway in an effort to escape. Amid heavy smoke and extreme conditions, Derrick was overcome by smoke and died in the fire, the department said.
The death marks the second line-of-duty fatality for the department in recent years, KETK reported.
Tri-Lakes firefighters responded with two brush trucks and a tanker, while Mount Pleasant crews assisted with two additional brush trucks and command support, according to KLTV.
Orlando firefighters work on truck company operations
October 30, 2026 07:47 AM
·
Firefighters returned to the historic Obersalzberg site days after the initial blaze to extinguish flare-ups from smoldering embers, as German police hold a suspect on arson charges and the building remains closed indefinitely
October 29, 2026 06:34 AM
The new Tazewell County Volunteer Fire Company organizes all 170 volunteers and 11 stations under three battalion chiefs, funded by a 4.7% meals tax, with plans to add a paid part-time engine crew by spring to address staffing shortages
October 29, 2026 08:52 AM
·
Virginia Beach’s “compassionate billing” program, which doesn’t charge residents co-pays or deductibles, funded seven new ambulances and 43 new EMS hires while distributing $4.2 million to volunteer rescue squads that had struggled to keep pace with rising equipment costs
October 29, 2026 06:38 AM
The theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 4–10, 2026, is “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower”
October 05, 2026 11:53 AM
