Odessa Grass Fire Controlled
By: Karl Rundgren
Updated: December 16, 2010
ECTOR COUNTY -- Firefighters took on a grass fire just south of Odessa Wednesday. The blaze torched land along U.S. 385 and Monahans Draw. The fire was controlled and eventually extinguished after burning a vacant structure near South Dixie.
Early on Wednesday afternoon, the fire advanced in the brush across 500 acres towards 50 homes, and they were evacuated as a safety measure. That evacuation was called off around 5:30 PM Wednesday.
TXDOT closed several roads because of the fire and smoke, especially around Interstate 20 and F.M. 3503. Those roads all reopened by late afternoon, with the exception of the Interstate 20 frontage road between Grant and Grandview (which opened later that evening)
Fierce winds and extremely dry conditions had turned the Permian Basin into a tinderbox, creating a perfect breeding ground for wildfires.
Because of the fire, E.C.I.S.D. had to cancel the buses to the South Ranchito area Wednesday, and students were picked up at Blackshear Elementary.
Odessa Firefighters were asking for all the help they could get, including brush trucks and water tankers. The Texas Forest Service also stepped in, along with D.P.S. Aircraft.
Early on Wednesday afternoon, the fire advanced in the brush across 500 acres towards 50 homes, and they were evacuated as a safety measure. That evacuation was called off around 5:30 PM Wednesday.
TXDOT closed several roads because of the fire and smoke, especially around Interstate 20 and F.M. 3503. Those roads all reopened by late afternoon, with the exception of the Interstate 20 frontage road between Grant and Grandview (which opened later that evening)
Fierce winds and extremely dry conditions had turned the Permian Basin into a tinderbox, creating a perfect breeding ground for wildfires.
Because of the fire, E.C.I.S.D. had to cancel the buses to the South Ranchito area Wednesday, and students were picked up at Blackshear Elementary.
Odessa Firefighters were asking for all the help they could get, including brush trucks and water tankers. The Texas Forest Service also stepped in, along with D.P.S. Aircraft.
