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April 2011 Wildfire News
April 20, 2011
Cactus Firefighter Elias Jaquez Passes Away
Elias Jaquez, the Cactus volunteer firefighter who suffered major burns in the April 9, 2011 wildfire in Moore County, passed away last night. Mr. Jaquez was 49. According to officials Jaquez had suffered third degree burns to over 60% of his body. He is survived by his wife and four daughters. Moore County officials say flags will be flown at half mast today and tomorrow in his honor. Jaquez is the second volunteer firefighter to lose his life in the last week. Gregory M. Simmons, 51 a volunteer firefighter died while battling a blaze near Eastland, a town 130 miles West of Dallas. Simmons had been with the Eastland fire department for 11 years.
For More on The Gregory M. Simmons Story
Wildfires Cost Texas 2 Million Dollars A Day
Governor Perry in his disaster declaration says that it is costing Texas two million dollars a day to fight the wildfires, and has totaled close to seventy million to date. Since the wildfire season began this year, Texas has responded to almost 7800 wildfires which have burned over 2 million acres.
On average it costs $700,000 a day during wildfire season, but due to the extremely high wildfire activity this year, that figure has more than doubled. More than 1,700 personnel and over 20 air assets have been deployed to fight fires across Texas this season.
April 19, 2011
Volunteer Firefighter Considered A Hero By Many
Eastland volunteer firefighter Matt Clark who was injured while fighting a wildfire near Gorman is being called a hero. Clark was injured when he stopped to help a fire firefighter who had collapsed trying to escape the wildfire. Clark suffered first-degree burns on his face and third-degree burns on his hands, and is being treated for his wounds at Parkland Memorial hospital in Dallas.
Texas Battling Wildfires On Many Fronts
Wildfires continue to burn almost 1 million acres across the state, including blazes from Scurry to Stonewall and from Stephens to Palo Pinto. A Texas Forest Service Official said, "this is the worst I've seen in 37 years." Some of the fires are the Hamlin Fire which is a 150 acre wildfire near Hamlin which officials say the main section of the fire is contained. The PK Complex which consist of four fires that have merged, and moved into Young County on Tuesday.
The wildfires around Possum Kingdom Lake have covered more than 150,000 acres. Officials involved with the Wildcat Fire say that it is "the most severe wildfire situation we've ever seen." The Swenson Fire officials say is most under control as crews were putting out hotspots. Stonewall County Judge said the Swenson Fire has burned more than 122,000 acres. The Cooper Mountain Ranch Fire has been brought under-control. Officials say that it has consumed more than 162,000 acres in Fisher, Kent, Scurry and Stonewall counties since last week.
April 18, 2011
Possum Kingdom Lake Wildfire Still Burning
The Brazos River Authority Website Monday reported that wildfires are continuing to burn out of control at Possum Kingdom Lake as winds were picking up throughout the area. All roads leading to the Possum Kingdom Lake are closed. Despite efforts of many firefighters a wildfire has raged for days in North Texas and has grown to more than 40,000 acres through Possum Kingdom State Park burning 90% of the 1,500 acres park. As a result of all the wildfire activity Texas Governor Rick Perry has asked for a federal disaster declaration for Texas.
For More on this Story
TX Governor Requests Wildfire Disaster Declaration
Wildfire Disaster Continues
Firefighters already stressed to the max are continuing to battle wildfires that just won't stop. Wildfires near Fort Worth and South of Possum Kingdom Lake have burned 32,000 acres. A nearly 120,000 acre wildfire was started more than a week ago by a welder's torch in Stonewall, Knox, and King Counties and is 90 % contained as on Sunday morning. Another 152,000 acres fire spanning part of Kent, Fisher, Scurry and Stonewall counties was 50 % contained according the Texas Forest Service Officials. Wildfires have even spread towards Austin Sunday, damaging 10 homes and threatening others before water-bearing helicopters could get it under control.
West Texas Rancher Loses Livelihood
The Rock House Fires as officials are calling it was sparked by unknown causes in Marfa, Texas and became the fastest moving wildfire to scorch the area in decades. By Sunday, the wildfire has burned at least 180,000 acres and was only 70% contained. At least 40 homes and over 100 cattle and nine horses have been lost in the wildfire. The Rock House wildfire advanced 30 miles in a matter of hours heading towards Fort Davis and beyond. Many ranchers lost up to 95% of the land says Logan Boswell. Officials say that between 400,000 and 500,000 cattle have been injured in the wildfire. Many ranchers are having to look for land to lease until the conditions improve.
Firefighters Keep Battling Texas Wildfires
Wildfires are raging throughout Texas as firefighters continue to battle blazes across Texas Sunday as officials warned that shifting winds and continued dry weather are threatening efforts to contain wildfires. Eighteen new wildfires were reported Sunday in addition to 28 reported on Saturday. Among the uncontained wildfires is a North Texas blaze that has already burned 125,000 acres North of San Angelo and was only 10 % contained. Three wildfires near Possum Kingdom Lake, 75 miles West of Fort Worth combined Sunday to result in one larger fire which covered 55,000 acres destroying at least 32 homes and one church while threatening 200 properties according to the Texas Forest Service. A firefighter was killed Friday battling wildfires which the Texas Forest Service warned last week which could be the worst in the State's history.
April 17, 2011
Wildcat Fire Only 10% Contained
The Wildcat fire as people are calling it has destroyed 130,000 acres and continues to burn through the Concho Valley. Despite the combined efforts of many departments the wildfire is only 10% contained. According to the Texas Forest Service the reason is dry vegetation and high winds and low humidity. Officials were pleased to announce no loss of human life and only minimal loss of livestock.
For More on This Story
3 Firefighters Injured In New Mexico Wildfire
A massive wildfire in Eastern New Mexico is 70 to 80% contained. Three Clovis firefighters were injured in the blaze and their conditions aren't being released. The wildfire destroyed at least three homes and burned 17,000 acres. The Wildfire started after a vehicle blew a tire and sparks from the rim landed in nearby grass.
For More on this Story
Cactus Firefighter Remains In Critical Condition
Possum Kingdom Lake Wildfire Still Raging
The numbers are frightening in terms of the damage from the North Texas Wildfires. The size of the wildfires have doubled since last Friday with two wildfires combining Saturday to make an extremely large wildfire. Hundreds of residents were evacuated after two large fires in Western Palo Pinto County merged overnight and doubled in size. The flames have already scorched more than 45,000 acres and have burned at least 300 homes.
April 16, 2011
Texas Wildfire Kills Firefighter
April 15, 2011
30 Homes Destroyed Near Possum Kingdom Lake
A Texas Wildfire has destroyed at least 30 homes and forced evacuations of hundreds of people and closed Possum Kingdom State Park. Texas Forest Service spokesman says the wildfire has burned through 20,000 acres. Officials said 30 homes have been destroyed, 200 homes evacuated and 275 people have been displaced since the fire began Wednesday. The official said a state forest service firefighter suffered minor injuries Thursday night.
April 12, 2011
Cactus Firefighter Suffers 3rd Degree Burns
Elias Jaquez the firefighter critically injured in the Moore County wildfires over the weekend is expected to pull through. Mr. Jaquez a volunteer firefighter for the last four years from Cactus is listed in critical condition and is on life support. Doctors have told his wife, also a volunteer firefighter from Cactus they're optimistic about his recover.
Elias Jaquez suffered sever burns to his hands so bad that the will have to be amputated. Its an injury Moore County firefighters have never seen before. Mr Jacquez was caught in the wildfire after his truck became stuck in the dirt. He jumped out and started to run but tripped on a electrical wire and was zapped and fell down. The fire continued right over him. Officials say he was wearing protective pants but not a protective shirt.
For More on this Story
Governor To View Wildfire Devastation
Governor Perry is planning to get a first-hand look at the devastation caused by the massive wildfires. The wildfires have burned tens of thousands of acres and severely injured a Cactus firefighter, Elias Jacquez. Mr. Jacquez remains in critical condition as of Tuesday after suffering third degree burns to over 60% of his body.
Governor Perry is expected to head to Merkel which is about 160 miles West of Forth Worth. Texas Forest Service Spokesmen Alan Craft says the biggest fires still burning have blackened about 80,000 acres in Presidio County, 25,000 acres in Brewster County and nearly 17,000 acres in Midland County. The wildfires have burned more than 103,000 acres in Stonewall, Knox and King counties.
Moore County Emergency Spokesman David Garrett says the wildfires near Masterson are thought to have started from electric lines, but it hasn't been determined whether the power lines fell or just sparked during strong winds.
For More on this Story
Firefighter Remains In Critical Condition
A Cactus firefighter, Elias Jacquez was injured in Saturdays wildfire in Moore County and remains in critical condition, according to a nursing supervisor at University Medical Center in Lubbock. The firefighter is in the Lubbock burn center after sustaining third degree burns to 60 % of his body in Saturday's wildfire. The flames burned about 60,000 acres total and according to Moore County Emergency Management spokesmen David Garrett officials think the cause was somehow related to electrical lines. Officials were unclear whether the lines fell or sparked. According to Excel Energy 26 electrical poles were damaged in the fires.
For More on this Story
April 11, 2011
Wildfires Helped by Very Strong Winds
Winds were gusting in excess of 60 mph which helped spread over a half dozen wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. Two Wildfires occurred less than 24 hours apart in Moore County, while Hartley, Hemphill, Parmer, Carson and Wheeler Counties each reported wildfires. Moore County has tried to prevent wildfires by prolonging a burn ban enacted during the winter, but the rural areas need to take more preventative measures than cities because of fewer resources.
Firefighter Remains In Critical Condition
Texas Wildfire Season The Worst In State History
A series of drought conditions across West Texas are only a part of a complex series of weather events that have produced the worst wildfire conditions in Lone Star State history. Adding to the driest March in state history have set up a massive tinderbox that has exploded with devastating effect, as firefighters and smoke jumpers from 25 states have had to turn back hundreds of aggressive blazes.
For More on this Story
April 10, 2011
Firefighter Critically Injured in Texas Wildfire
Elias Jaquez, a Texas firefighter was in critical condition at the Lubbock burn unit with severe burns on Sunday afternoon after fighting an estimated 60,000 acre fire in the Northern Panhandle. The cause of the fire was under investigation but is believed to have started in an isolated area near a natural gas plant and other industrial sites near Masterson, an emergency spokesman for Moore County said. Three other firefighters were treated and released Sunday evening.
Texas Wildfires Still Burning
A day most feared as one of the worst days in the state's history for battling wildfires was Sunday April 10, 2011. Texas firefighters got the upper hand on several blazes while others throughout the state raged on. Authorities are fighting to maintain and bring the large fires under control. This challenge as well as the weather outlook has prompted the Texas Forest Service to forecast that " conditions on Sunday could shape up to be among the worst in Texas history." A 60,000 acre wildfire blaze in Potter and Moore County near the city of Masterson briefly threatened the towns of Dumas and Sunray over the weekend.
Four Firefighters Injured in Masterson Wildfire
Firefighters spent all Saturday evening battling a wildfire which started near Masterson and spread within four miles South of Highway 152. Four firefighters were injured in the blaze, two from Dumas and two from cactus. The most severly injured firefighter was flown to the Lubbock burn unit and is in critical condition. The three other firefighters were treated and released. Moore County officials declared the blaze contained about 1:40 A.M. Sunday morning. However it was only the first fire which officials would be facing in a 24 hour span.
Another Fire broke out Sunday morning around 10 A.M. east of Masterson. Local Media reported that high wind caught an 18-wheeler truck and bent it in half which caused sparks to fly out which ignited the dry grass. The second fire moved in a Northeasterly direction. Firefighters were able to bring the flames under control by mid-afternoon. No acreage damage estimate has been given on the second Moore County fire.
For More on this Story
Texas Wildfires Still Burning
A day most feared as the worst days in the state's history for battling wildfires was yesterday April 10, 2011. Texas firefighters got the upper hand on several blazes while others raged on. Authorities are fighting to maintain bigger blazes and this challenge as well as the weather outlook has prompted the Texas Forest Service to state that " conditions on Sunday could shape up to be among the worst in Texas history." A 60,000 acre wildfire blaze in Potter and Moore County near the city of Masterson briefly threatened the towns of Dumas and Sunray.
DPS Warns of Extreme Wildfire Danger
April 09, 2011
Wildfire Weather Predicted
According to the Texas Forest Service wildfire weather conditions on Sunday could be among the worst in Texas History. Key weather factors include pervasive drought conditions, sustained winds of 30-35 mpg gusting up to 50 mph, high temperatures and low relative humidity. These weather conditions along with record dry vegetation increase the potential for wildfires.
Saturday, Texas Forest Service crews helped battle the largest wildfire currently burning in the nation and the largest that has occurred in Texas this year. The Swenson Fire in Stonewall, King and Knox Counties was estimated at 71,000 acres and growing.