Texas Forest Service Update On Wildfires
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: April 17, 2011
From the Texas Forest Service:
WEST TEXAS TRANS PECOS COMPLEX
The Southern Area Incident Management Blue Team is continuing to assist with management of active fires in the Trans Pecos Complex. For more information on these and other fires in West Texas, contact C.J. Norvell, Blue Team Public Information Officer at 432-688-9234 or transpecosfires@gmail.com<mailto:transpecosfires@gmail.com>
Most Active Fires:
Coke County, Wildcat Fire near Grape Creek - 103,000 acres , 10 percent contained
Crews worked through the night to protect communities by doing structure protection and burnouts south of road 158. Firefighters continue to be concerned about south winds; crews are conducting burnout operations to protect the community of Robert Lee. Roads 208 and part of road 158 closed, mandatory evacuations are in place for Lake Spence and residents living around Greenland and Lometa Roads, voluntary evacuations are in place for Tennyson.
Jeff Davis County, Rockhouse Fire near Ft. Davis - 182,007 acres, 70 percent contained. Firefighters are focusing on the NW flank of the fire as it is projected to spread into Bob Manning Canyon. Crews plan to construct line and continue burnout operations. Burnout operations will be conducted today to protect the Mc Donald Observatory.
Crockett County, Sutton Fire near Ozona - 8,000 acres, 10 percent contained. Resources were released yesterday from the Little Smokey Fire to help local crews with the Sutton Fire which has the potential to spread rapidly.
Andrews County, Frying Pan Ranch Fire near Andrews - 80,907 acres 50% contained
Sutton County McPherson Fire near Sonora - 1,500 acres 20 percent contained
Tom Green County- Encino Fire near Carlsbad - 12,659 acres 90 percent contained
Pecos County, Cannon Group near Iraan - 41, 521 acres
Cannon Fire: 9,248 acres ,80 percent contained
DHR: 26,284 acres, 80 percent contained
Little Smokey: 27,895 acres, 80 percent contained.
Yates Field: 300 acres, 50 percent contained
NEW FIRES
Travis County, Pinnacle Fire - 60 acres, 6 homes involved, 100 homes threatened, 10 business threatened, Austin Community College Pinnacle Campus threatened. There are evacuations in progress. This fire is displaying extreme behavior and is moving fast. There are crown runs in the cedar and live oak canopy with some short range spotting.
2 Starflight helicopters on scene.
Cass County, No. 145 - 2 acres. 100 percent contained. Investigation of cause underway.
Nacogdoches County, No. 127 - 7 acres, contained, 1 home destroyed, 20-30 homes threatened at a pine plantation and forest. At one point the fire jumped containment liner, fire back under containment
Nacogdoches County, No. 129 - two acres, CR 823 heavy brush.
Cherokee County, No. 128 - 10 acres, FM 1345, mature mixed pine, no threats.
Cherokee County, No. 126 - 10 acres, mobile home threatened and saved.
Cherokee County, No. 130 - 3 acres, 1 mobile home threatened, 1 outbuilding lost.
Jasper County, No. 276 - 1 acre, debris.
Hardin County, No. 274 - 1 acre.
Grimes County, No. 273 - 3 acres, south of Plantersville. Fire under investigation
Jefferson County, No. 275 - 2 acres.
Jones County, CR 310 - 100 acres
Smith County, No. 131 - unknown acres, large grass fire.
Liberty County, No. 277 - 7 acres, 2 homes threatened. 100 percent contained
Walker County, No. 281 - 2 acres, rekindle from last week at FM 3478.
Walker County, No. 280 - 1 acre, catchout, debris, law enforcement violation.
Harris County, No. 279 - 1 acre, no threats at this time unless winds change.
Trinity County, Josserand South Fire - 1,369 acres. Crews continuing to mop up.
CARRYOVER FIRES
Eastland County, County Rd. 104 Fire - 1,400 acres. Five homes and one vehicle destroyed.
Jack County, Bryson Fire Complex, two fires - 7,500 acres. 14 businesses and 140 home and outbuildings threatened. 70 people evacuated yesterday. 50 percent contained. Jack County is now without power.
Motley County, Middle Pease Fire - 400 acres. No TFS resources on this fire today. 75% contained.
Nacogdoches County, No. 121 - 20 acres, controlled on a 20-year old plantation. Cause is under investigation.
Liberty County, No. 266 - 30 acres, no other information at this time.
Tyler and Hardin Counties, Pipeline Fire (No. 260) - 3,000 acres, 30-40 homes threatened. This fire is reported to be jumping roads, burning hot and spotting 75 yards ahead. It has jumped from Hardin County to Tyler Couty. TFS resources comitted to this fire today include 2 TXARNG balckhawks, air attack, 2 TFS helicopters, 4 tractor plow units, a National Parks dozer, a TIMO dozer and a private dozer.
Tyler County. Thirty-forty homes are threatened and evacuated and oil tanks are threatened. TFS resources responding include a TXARNG Blackhawk helicopter and 2 dozers.
Hardin County, No. 259 - 10 acres. Unknown threats.
Harding County, No. 257 - 10 acres. Two homes threatened.
Hardin County, No. 256 off Hwy 787 west of Votaw - 7 acres,
Tyler County, No. 258 - 5 acres, one home saved, contained and controlled.
Shelby County, No. 122 - 12 acres
Cherokee County, No. 123 - 4 acres
Gregg County, No. 124 - 10 acres
Montgomery County, No. 265 - 3 acres
Stephens County, Jackson Ranch Fire - 2,270 acres, 50% contained. The town of Caddo was evacuated today. TFS resources responding today include a Task Force of dozers and engines, a TIFMAS Strike Team of engines, and 2 heavy Helitankers.
Wichita County, Wichita County Complex - 11,795 acres in 3 separate fires, 90% contained: Iowa Park West, Missile, and Holiday Fires. On the first day of this fire there were 7 homes and 6 out buildings lost with 27 direct saves. TFS resources responding today was a Task Force of Engines and dozers. TFS resources have been released from this fire.
Stonewall, Knox and King Counties, Swenson Fire - 120,000 acres, 90 percent contained. 3 ranch complexes threatened. TFS resources responding today include Air Attack, a heavy helicopter, a Task Force of dozers and engines, and 2 TIFMAS Strike Teams of engines.
Kent, Stonewall, Fisher and Scurry Counties - Cooper Mtn Ranch Fire. - 162,473 acres, 122 mile perimeter. 80% contained. There were 4 homes lost. TFS resources responding today include a heavy helicopter, 2 task forces of dozers and engines, 20-person hand crew and 3 strike teams of TIFMAS engines.
Stephens County, PK West Fire, Palo Pinto County, Hohertz Fire and PK East Fire - These 3 fires are burning in close proximity to each other and will be combined into a Fire Complex. 55,000 acres. 10% contained. 32 homes and one church have been destroyed since the fire started along with an estimated 90 head of cattle. The community of Strawn along with an area west of Hwy 16, south of Possum Kingdom Lake to I-20 and Possum Kingdom penisula. An Incident Command Post has been established south of Strawn on Hwy 16. TFS resources committed to these 3 fires today include 2 Air Attacks, 3 heavy Helitankers, 2 TXARNG Blackhawk Helicopters, three 20-person hand crews, 3 Task Forces of dozers and engines, 5 TIFMAS Stike Teams of engines, and 2 TIFMAS Task Forces of engines and water tenders .
Hardin County, No.245 Post Oak Fire - 76 acres Extreme fire behavior noted on this fire on Friday.
Eastland County, East Sidywnicks - 3,000 acres. 95 percent contained. TFS resources were released from this fire this afternoon.
Houston County, No. 251 Fire – 70 acres. Three homes threatened and saved. Fire is contained. Debris burning was the fire cause.
Trinity County, No. 254 - 1,100 acres. This fire has doubled in size from Friday. Extreme fire behavior noted on this fire with crowning and spotting. TFS resources responding include a helicopter, a dozer and two US Forest Service dozers.
Dimmit County, Diamond H Fire - 115 acres. 100% contained.
Hardin County, No. 270 - 35 acres, 100 percent contained.
TOMORROW’S FIRE WEATHER FORECAST
North-Northwest-West-Central-South Branches:
…Critical fire weather condition in West and Northwest branch…
Critical fire weather conditions will once again occur over all of west and Northwest branch today as the dry line pushes to the east and extends across the Big Country, across the Heartland and into the Edwards plateau by mid afternoon. The winds will be sustained at 20-25 with gusts from 35 to 40 mph at times in the critical area. Behind the dry line minimum RH’s will fall into single digits by early afternoon. Moisture will increase out ahead of the dry line over north and central branch with minimum RH’s ranging from 30 to 50 percent with gusty south winds.
East Branch:
Moisture will increase across the branch today with gusty southerly winds prevailing through the afternoon hours. Minimum RH’s will remain in the 40 to 50 percent range through the day. Similar conditions will prevail over the branch on Tuesday.
For information on road closures please go to http://www.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions.htm or call 800 452-9292.
Currently there are approximately 1,,388 firefighting personnel being managed by the Texas Forest Service from 34 states assigned to Texas fires. This figure does not include Volunteer Fire Department responders.
WEST TEXAS TRANS PECOS COMPLEX
The Southern Area Incident Management Blue Team is continuing to assist with management of active fires in the Trans Pecos Complex. For more information on these and other fires in West Texas, contact C.J. Norvell, Blue Team Public Information Officer at 432-688-9234 or transpecosfires@gmail.com<mailto:transpecosfires@gmail.com>
Most Active Fires:
Coke County, Wildcat Fire near Grape Creek - 103,000 acres , 10 percent contained
Crews worked through the night to protect communities by doing structure protection and burnouts south of road 158. Firefighters continue to be concerned about south winds; crews are conducting burnout operations to protect the community of Robert Lee. Roads 208 and part of road 158 closed, mandatory evacuations are in place for Lake Spence and residents living around Greenland and Lometa Roads, voluntary evacuations are in place for Tennyson.
Jeff Davis County, Rockhouse Fire near Ft. Davis - 182,007 acres, 70 percent contained. Firefighters are focusing on the NW flank of the fire as it is projected to spread into Bob Manning Canyon. Crews plan to construct line and continue burnout operations. Burnout operations will be conducted today to protect the Mc Donald Observatory.
Crockett County, Sutton Fire near Ozona - 8,000 acres, 10 percent contained. Resources were released yesterday from the Little Smokey Fire to help local crews with the Sutton Fire which has the potential to spread rapidly.
Andrews County, Frying Pan Ranch Fire near Andrews - 80,907 acres 50% contained
Sutton County McPherson Fire near Sonora - 1,500 acres 20 percent contained
Tom Green County- Encino Fire near Carlsbad - 12,659 acres 90 percent contained
Pecos County, Cannon Group near Iraan - 41, 521 acres
Cannon Fire: 9,248 acres ,80 percent contained
DHR: 26,284 acres, 80 percent contained
Little Smokey: 27,895 acres, 80 percent contained.
Yates Field: 300 acres, 50 percent contained
NEW FIRES
Travis County, Pinnacle Fire - 60 acres, 6 homes involved, 100 homes threatened, 10 business threatened, Austin Community College Pinnacle Campus threatened. There are evacuations in progress. This fire is displaying extreme behavior and is moving fast. There are crown runs in the cedar and live oak canopy with some short range spotting.
2 Starflight helicopters on scene.
Cass County, No. 145 - 2 acres. 100 percent contained. Investigation of cause underway.
Nacogdoches County, No. 127 - 7 acres, contained, 1 home destroyed, 20-30 homes threatened at a pine plantation and forest. At one point the fire jumped containment liner, fire back under containment
Nacogdoches County, No. 129 - two acres, CR 823 heavy brush.
Cherokee County, No. 128 - 10 acres, FM 1345, mature mixed pine, no threats.
Cherokee County, No. 126 - 10 acres, mobile home threatened and saved.
Cherokee County, No. 130 - 3 acres, 1 mobile home threatened, 1 outbuilding lost.
Jasper County, No. 276 - 1 acre, debris.
Hardin County, No. 274 - 1 acre.
Grimes County, No. 273 - 3 acres, south of Plantersville. Fire under investigation
Jefferson County, No. 275 - 2 acres.
Jones County, CR 310 - 100 acres
Smith County, No. 131 - unknown acres, large grass fire.
Liberty County, No. 277 - 7 acres, 2 homes threatened. 100 percent contained
Walker County, No. 281 - 2 acres, rekindle from last week at FM 3478.
Walker County, No. 280 - 1 acre, catchout, debris, law enforcement violation.
Harris County, No. 279 - 1 acre, no threats at this time unless winds change.
Trinity County, Josserand South Fire - 1,369 acres. Crews continuing to mop up.
CARRYOVER FIRES
Eastland County, County Rd. 104 Fire - 1,400 acres. Five homes and one vehicle destroyed.
Jack County, Bryson Fire Complex, two fires - 7,500 acres. 14 businesses and 140 home and outbuildings threatened. 70 people evacuated yesterday. 50 percent contained. Jack County is now without power.
Motley County, Middle Pease Fire - 400 acres. No TFS resources on this fire today. 75% contained.
Nacogdoches County, No. 121 - 20 acres, controlled on a 20-year old plantation. Cause is under investigation.
Liberty County, No. 266 - 30 acres, no other information at this time.
Tyler and Hardin Counties, Pipeline Fire (No. 260) - 3,000 acres, 30-40 homes threatened. This fire is reported to be jumping roads, burning hot and spotting 75 yards ahead. It has jumped from Hardin County to Tyler Couty. TFS resources comitted to this fire today include 2 TXARNG balckhawks, air attack, 2 TFS helicopters, 4 tractor plow units, a National Parks dozer, a TIMO dozer and a private dozer.
Tyler County. Thirty-forty homes are threatened and evacuated and oil tanks are threatened. TFS resources responding include a TXARNG Blackhawk helicopter and 2 dozers.
Hardin County, No. 259 - 10 acres. Unknown threats.
Harding County, No. 257 - 10 acres. Two homes threatened.
Hardin County, No. 256 off Hwy 787 west of Votaw - 7 acres,
Tyler County, No. 258 - 5 acres, one home saved, contained and controlled.
Shelby County, No. 122 - 12 acres
Cherokee County, No. 123 - 4 acres
Gregg County, No. 124 - 10 acres
Montgomery County, No. 265 - 3 acres
Stephens County, Jackson Ranch Fire - 2,270 acres, 50% contained. The town of Caddo was evacuated today. TFS resources responding today include a Task Force of dozers and engines, a TIFMAS Strike Team of engines, and 2 heavy Helitankers.
Wichita County, Wichita County Complex - 11,795 acres in 3 separate fires, 90% contained: Iowa Park West, Missile, and Holiday Fires. On the first day of this fire there were 7 homes and 6 out buildings lost with 27 direct saves. TFS resources responding today was a Task Force of Engines and dozers. TFS resources have been released from this fire.
Stonewall, Knox and King Counties, Swenson Fire - 120,000 acres, 90 percent contained. 3 ranch complexes threatened. TFS resources responding today include Air Attack, a heavy helicopter, a Task Force of dozers and engines, and 2 TIFMAS Strike Teams of engines.
Kent, Stonewall, Fisher and Scurry Counties - Cooper Mtn Ranch Fire. - 162,473 acres, 122 mile perimeter. 80% contained. There were 4 homes lost. TFS resources responding today include a heavy helicopter, 2 task forces of dozers and engines, 20-person hand crew and 3 strike teams of TIFMAS engines.
Stephens County, PK West Fire, Palo Pinto County, Hohertz Fire and PK East Fire - These 3 fires are burning in close proximity to each other and will be combined into a Fire Complex. 55,000 acres. 10% contained. 32 homes and one church have been destroyed since the fire started along with an estimated 90 head of cattle. The community of Strawn along with an area west of Hwy 16, south of Possum Kingdom Lake to I-20 and Possum Kingdom penisula. An Incident Command Post has been established south of Strawn on Hwy 16. TFS resources committed to these 3 fires today include 2 Air Attacks, 3 heavy Helitankers, 2 TXARNG Blackhawk Helicopters, three 20-person hand crews, 3 Task Forces of dozers and engines, 5 TIFMAS Stike Teams of engines, and 2 TIFMAS Task Forces of engines and water tenders .
Hardin County, No.245 Post Oak Fire - 76 acres Extreme fire behavior noted on this fire on Friday.
Eastland County, East Sidywnicks - 3,000 acres. 95 percent contained. TFS resources were released from this fire this afternoon.
Houston County, No. 251 Fire – 70 acres. Three homes threatened and saved. Fire is contained. Debris burning was the fire cause.
Trinity County, No. 254 - 1,100 acres. This fire has doubled in size from Friday. Extreme fire behavior noted on this fire with crowning and spotting. TFS resources responding include a helicopter, a dozer and two US Forest Service dozers.
Dimmit County, Diamond H Fire - 115 acres. 100% contained.
Hardin County, No. 270 - 35 acres, 100 percent contained.
TOMORROW’S FIRE WEATHER FORECAST
North-Northwest-West-Central-South Branches:
…Critical fire weather condition in West and Northwest branch…
Critical fire weather conditions will once again occur over all of west and Northwest branch today as the dry line pushes to the east and extends across the Big Country, across the Heartland and into the Edwards plateau by mid afternoon. The winds will be sustained at 20-25 with gusts from 35 to 40 mph at times in the critical area. Behind the dry line minimum RH’s will fall into single digits by early afternoon. Moisture will increase out ahead of the dry line over north and central branch with minimum RH’s ranging from 30 to 50 percent with gusty south winds.
East Branch:
Moisture will increase across the branch today with gusty southerly winds prevailing through the afternoon hours. Minimum RH’s will remain in the 40 to 50 percent range through the day. Similar conditions will prevail over the branch on Tuesday.
For information on road closures please go to http://www.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions.htm or call 800 452-9292.
Currently there are approximately 1,,388 firefighting personnel being managed by the Texas Forest Service from 34 states assigned to Texas fires. This figure does not include Volunteer Fire Department responders.
