In the early afternoon heat on August 30, 2011, yet another wildfire burst out of control in the parched, landscape of Palo Pinto County. The most severe damage has been in the Cliffs Resort neighborhood in the southern area of Possum Kingdom, which was ravaged by fires in April of 2011 burning 160 homes and 127,000 acres in three counties. The ongoing drought, strong winds, and recent lightning may be responsible for the current fire.
Tom Berglund, Public Information Officer with the Lonestar Incident Management Team for the Texas Forest Service, said they first received the call to respond to the Palo Pinto County fire, also called the 101 Ranch Fire, at 1:45 p.m. on August 30, 2011, after the local volunteer fire departments did as much as possible to contain the fire on their own.
Berglund said firefighters were working in 15 mph winds this morning that gradually increased as the day wore on. He also said the fire has already consumed 30 structures, and 125 homes were evacuated in The Cliffs subdivision.
Additional Mandatory Evacuations
According to April Saginor, Communications Specialist with the Texas Forest Service, the fire has consumed 5129 acres in 24 hours and is only 25 percent contained. "This is a very active fire," Saginor said. "I don't think the wind has calmed down at all and we've now moved into the hot, dry part of the day."
The Palo Pinto fire is located off Highway 16 near the town of Brad, Texas, which is west of Fort Worth. In addition to the earlier evacuation of The Cliffs subdivision, Saginor said there is now mandatory evacuations for the Ranch and Harbor subdivisions and 90 students from the YMCA Camp Grady Spruce, as well. Between 300 and 400 homes are currently threatened by the fire.
There are 36 volunteer fire departments currently responding to this fire in addition to other agencies, including firefighters from Palo Pinto, Jack, and Young counties; the Texas Forest Service; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and other volunteers and paid personnel from within Texas and around the country.
There are three task forces assigned to the Palo Pinto fire with at least 20 firefighters each. They have nine bulldozers and six engines, five single engine air tankers, two heavy helicopters and two air attack aircraft flying over to assess the need for additional resources. In addition, there are three strike teams of Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System engines on order.
"This is a large, active fire and we will not be mopping it up tonight," Saginor said.
Saginor also offered advice for residents in Palo Pinto County and other areas affected by wildfires at this time. "Monitor news websites, and the Texas Forest Service website. Find any information you can to make sure you are safe and not in an affected area."
She also urged residents to take extra precautions during outdoor activities at this time. "Conditions are so hot and dry that any little spark can cause a wildfire, so be careful when outdoors," she said.
Current Wildfire Update
According to the Texas Forest Service Incident Informtion System, the State of Texas is fighting its worst fire season in the state's history. Since the fire season began in November of 2010, firefighters have responded to 20,155 fires that have burned 3,529,261 acres. This number is certain to rise as the Palo Pinto fire continues.
The Forest Service responded to new, large fires in Palo Pinto, Edwards, Kimble, Sutton, Howard, Menard and Hall counties yesterday. They are currently responding to a total of eleven large fires that have burned 16,285 acres. There are National Guard dozers and Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters assisting with these fires, as well.
The 3457 Road Fire in Wise County has now burned more than 100 acres and is currently threatening 20 homes. The Wise County fire was first reported to the Texas Forest Service at 2 p.m. on August 31, 2011.
In Walker County, the Crab Prairie Fire, which was first reported at 1:43 p.m. on August 31, 2011, has also grown to over 100 acres. Two homes were lost in this fire and an additional 10 homes and 10 structures are threatened as evacuations in the area continue.
Of the 254 counties in the State of Texas, 251 are currently reporting burn bans.
(This article was updated at 6:48 p.m. on August 31, 2011.)
Darla Sue Dollman - Darla Sue Dollman, BA, MFA, has expertise in classic films, the Old West, boating, and animals.
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