Texas wildfires fueled by gusty winds prompt evacuations
Texas wildfires, fueled by strong winds and dry grass, prompt hundreds to flee their homes
Mobile home park in Abilene evacuated Thursday
Abilene and the surrounding area was named by the Texas A&M Forest Service as a target for extremely critical fire conditions in areas along and west of the Interstate 35 corridor on Thursday.
An abundance of extremely dry dormant grasses and intensifying drought created the risk, the agency said.
Thursday afternoon and evening saw at least three fires spring up in the northern part of the city due to problems with power lines, aided by sustained winds as high as 41 mph and gusting to 56 mph in the late afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Not long thereafter, another fire broke out on the north and south sides of Highway 80 in west Abilene, requiring evacuations, including residents of a mobile home park.
Contributing: Photojournalist Ronald W. Erdrich, Abilene Reporter-News from Cisco and Eastland, Texas; The Associated Press.
Laura Gutschke reported from Abilene, Texas. Doyle Rice reported from Silver Spring, Maryland.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas fire: Eastland wildfire burns 62 miles amid strong winds
Texas A&M
NEWSROOM: POTENTIAL FOR WILDFIRE OUTBREAK TOMORROW
WILDFIRE UPDATE – March 18, 2022 11:00 am
Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) firefighters responded to 10 wildfires that burned 52,708 acres on March 17, 2022.
Strong winds and critically dry grasses contributed to extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread across the landscape on these fires. Suppression efforts were incredibly challenging due to extreme fire behavior on fires associated with the Eastland Complex in Eastland, Brown and Comanche counties on Thursday. In addition to rapid rates of spread, group torching in oak/juniper timber was observed with spotting of embers and flammable material up to 150 yards away from the active wildfire. Fire crews focused on operations related to life safety and structure protection as well as constructing containment lines where possible.
Today, Friday, March 18, post-frontal conditions, including strong winds over extremely dry vegetation, will support wildfire activity in South Texas where there is a low to moderate potential for large wildfires that may be resistant to control. Additionally, critically dry to extremely dry grass will continue to support wildfire activity in the Cross Timbers, Rolling Plains and Hill Country regions through Sunday.
To view the Texas A&M Forest Service statewide active fire response map, navigate to https://public.tfswildfires.com.
For frequent incident updates, visit https://twitter.com/AllHazardsTFS.
UPDATE
March 16, 2022
Potential for wildfire outbreak tomorrow
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Significant fire activity is forecast for Thursday, March 17 due to extremely critical fire weather conditions along and west of the I-35 corridor including Gainesville, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Austin, San Antonio and Del Rio regions.
High winds with low humidity moving across dry grass fuel may result in wildfires highly resistant to control. Evacuations have been common under these conditions.
This significant fire protentional brings likelihood to a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak. This rare, high impact wildfire phenomenon is similar to Santa Ana winds and can impact parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
“Texas A&M Forest Service has been monitoring the fire environment and increased wildfire activity this week,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “The potential for significant, large wildfires has developed for tomorrow, Thursday, March 17. Wildfires that ignite under these forecast conditions are highly resistant to firefighters’ suppression efforts and pose a threat to public safety. We encourage residents to be cautious tomorrow, be prepared and listen to warnings from local officials.”
Texans are encouraged to make evacuation preparations in advance of the expected wildfire activity this weekend.
- Prepare multiple evacuation routes in case one is compromised by heavy smoke.
- Assemble a go-kit that can be grabbed easily and includes the following items:
- Supplies for both people and pets. Assemble a go-kit that can be grabbed easily and includes the following items:
- Prescription medications or other necessary medical equipment.
- Papers and important documents such as insurance and identification documents.
- Personal needs including food, water, clothing, money and a first aid kit.
- Priceless items such as photos, family heirlooms and any other irreplaceable or valuable items.
- Listen to local officials and, if necessary, evacuate early to get yourself out of harm’s way.
Stay wildfire aware. If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2022
Texas A&M Forest Service fire resources are mobilized as wildfire activity is forecast to increase through the weekend
COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Wildfire activity is forecast to increase along and west of I-35 and into South Texas through the weekend.
An abundance of extremely dry dormant grasses and intensifying drought may produce large wildfires that are difficult to control when exposed to periods of elevated to critical fire weather.
Since Saturday, state and local resources have responded to 70 wildfires that burned 15,274 acres across the state.
Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring the current situation closely and has prepositioned personnel and equipment across areas of concern.
“The underlying drought conditions combined with winds associated with cold front passages has supported increased wildfire activity across the state this week,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “Conditions are not forecast to improve through the weekend, and the agency has strategically placed fire resources across the state for a quick and effective response.”
Fully staffed task forces and additional suppression equipment are staged in Alice, Amarillo, Beeville, Brownwood, Burkburnett, Childress, Edinburg, Fort Stockton, Fredericksburg, Lubbock, McGregor, Merkel, Mineral Wells, Pleasanton, San Angelo, Smithville and Victoria.
Additionally, fireline supervisors, command staff and incident commanders with advanced qualifications are strategically placed across the state to respond.
Aviation resources currently staged in state include two large airtankers, 12 single engine air tankers, four air attack platforms, three type 1 helicopters, two type 3 helicopters and one aerial supervision module are currently staged in state for wildfire response.
During periods of high fire activity, aviation resources are used to support suppression efforts on the ground, aiding in the protection of structures and other valuable resources. Aircraft responded to eight wildfires over the past week, assisting ground crews with a total of 66,000 gallons of water and retardant to slow forward progression of fires.
Texas A&M Forest Service has requested the mobilization of six strike teams via Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) for wildfire incident support.
Stay wildfire aware. If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.
For current conditions and wildfire outlook, visit the Texas Fire Potential Outlook https://bit.ly/3kemhbG.
Texas A&M Forest Service does not own any aviation resources but instead uses federal aviation contracts through the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for all firefighting aircraft.
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Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Information Officer, 979-255-0591, information@tfs.tamu.edu
Communications Office, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edupacer
Texas wildfires path LIVE – Evacuations ordered in Eastland and Ranger near Dallas as gusty winds create dangerous blaze
Fire torches buildings & forces evacuations as pictures show massive flames
EVACUATIONS have been ordered in parts of Texas as wildfires burn across the state.
Several wildfires merged to form what fire officials call a “complex” that was burning near Eastland, about 120 miles west of Dallas.
As of Friday morning, the fires had burned about 62.5 square miles (162 square kilometers), according to Texas A&M Forest Service. It was only 2 percent contained and fires were burning in thick brush and grass fields.
About 18,000 people live in Eastland County, where the large fire was burning.
Other smaller fires were burning throughout other areas of Texas, and Thursday’s low humidity and high winds created an ideal scenario for the blazes to quickly grow out of control.
Texas A&M Forest Service had warned of a wildfire outbreak this week because of the forecast.
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Reinforcements brought in
“Update: the #EastlandComplex in Eastland County is an estimated 45,383 acres and 4% contained,” the Texas A&M Forest Service tweeted at 11am on March 18.
“Aviation resources including 3 large air tankers, helicopters, and 3 fireboss single-engine air tankers will be working on the fire today to help reinforce areas of concern.”
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Limited containment in Eastland
Approximately 38,000 acres were consumed in the blaze of wildfires in Texas as of the evening of March 17 with zero percent contained, according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
That number has since increased to 45,383 in Eastland County, with just 4 percent contained.
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Road reopened
Although Texas Department of Transportation officials previously closed SH-6 due to the “rapidly expanding blaze” on Thursday, that road has reopened as of Friday morning.
“SH 6 is re-opened this morning. There is still a fire weather danger,” Texas Department of Transportation’s Brownwood District shared on Twitter.
TxDOT Brownwood@TxDOTBWDEASTLAND CO. TRAFFIC ALERT: SH 6 is re-opened this morning. There is still a fire weather danger. Winds continue today with extremely dry conditions. Please do your part to prevent fires. Check that trailers are not dragging chains & never toss cigarettes from vehicles! #txdot
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Four fires
At least four fires were raging at the Eastland Complex as of Thursday night.
The Kidd Fire had burned an estimated 30,000 acres, while the Wheat Field Fire had torched 5,000 acres and the Oak Mott Fire had charred an estimated 4,500 acres.
The Walling Fire torched more than 380 acres, and a Texas A&M Forest Service Information Officer told The Sun: “What we do know – the Walling Fire from yesterday, along with multiple new starts today, have been combined into the Eastland Complex.”
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Church burned out
Flames from the wildfires seemed to engulf the Second Baptist Church in Ranger as well as an old police station in the area.
A picture of the gutted church was shared on its Facebook page.
The post read: “Satan has hit us hard but we are still standing. I’m bring(ing) a lawn chair Sunday and going to serve GOD anyway.”
“Who’s with me? Remember the the (sic) people are the church. And not the building.”
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Additional resources activated
As part of a direction to activate additional resources to deal with the “escalated fire weather conditions” in Texas, Governor Abbott requested the following resources be activated on March 16:
- Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS): Four firefighting strike teams from the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), including 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines
- Texas Military Department (TMD): Six helicopters with firefighting capability
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD): Two firefighting brush trucks
- Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (TX EMTF): Two paramedic/advanced life-support Wildland Fire Support Packages
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Friday containment
As of Friday morning, Texas A&M Forest Service reported, “The #EastlandComplex in Eastland County is an estimated 39,883 acres and 2% contained.”
WFAA@wfaa“Y’all pray for our little community,” said Debbie Copeland, who’s mourning the loss of her home in the #EastlandComplex fire.
wfaa.com‘There’s nothing left’: After wildfire, Texas families mourn the loss of their homesThe homeowner told WFAA that memories from her infant son who passed away two years ago were in the home.Shortly before midnight the #EastlandComplex fire reached the city of Groman, TX and has already claimed 2 houses. Can hear cows in the distance screaming trying to get away from the fire. The fire appears to have been stopped before making to main the roads. pic.twitter.com/HitzHvJUY8
— Michael Beard (@MichaelBeardWX) March 18, 2022
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Agencies ordered to report
On March 16, as part of a direction to activate additional resources to deal with the “escalated fire weather conditions” in Texas, Governor Abbott requested personnel from several state agencies report to the Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC).
Those agencies include:
- Texas A&M Forest Service
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Texas Military Department
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Public Utility Commission of Texas
- Railroad Commission of Texas
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‘Escalated fire weather conditions’
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the state’s emergency management division to activate additional resources to fight “escalated fire weather conditions” on March 16.
He urged residents across the state to “remain weather-aware and practice wildfire safety diligently through the rest of the week to keep their communities safe.”
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Hundreds of homes evacuated
Hundreds of homes have been evacuated and more than 38,000 acres of land have caught fire in Texas.
Around 475 homes in Gorman, Texas were evacuated as of Thursday night and orders were issued for Brown and Comanche counties as well.
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No injuries reported
No injuries have been reported so far due to the fires, Kari Hines, a spokesperson with the Texas A&M Forest Service, told CNN on Friday.
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Evacuation orders in place
Evacuation orders were in place across several central Texas counties late Thursday, according to CNN.
The orders for evacuation were in effect for portions of Eastland, Brown, and Comanche counties.
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Thousands threatened
About 18,000 people live in Eastland County, where the large fire continues burning on Friday.
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Fire in the sky
Texas A&M Forest Service shared this terrifying photo of flames from the wildfires on Twitter.
Incident Information – Texas A&M Forest Service@AllHazardsTFSUpdate: the #EastlandComplex in Eastland County is an estimated 14,800 acres and 0% contained. Map for the fire showing a preliminary perimeter. This is an estimation and subject to change. -
‘Complex’ of fires
Several wildfires have merged to form what fire officials call a “complex” in Texas.
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How contained are the fires?
The fires are only 2 percent contained and continue to burn in thick brush and grass fields.
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Miles of destruction
As of Friday morning, the fires had burned about 62.5 square miles (162 square kilometers), according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
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Where are the fires?
The fires are burning near Eastland, about 120 miles west of Dallas.
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Fires & Wildfires
Wildfires affect America’s farms and ranches, damaging and destroying homes, barns, agriculture production facilities, crops and livestock. Much of this damage can be avoided, or at least minimized, if a few precautions are taken to minimize the risk and spread of wildfires.
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ASH AND SMOKE that fills the air and masks the earth. Also falls on us, humanity. Filling our lungs the source of life, the breath from GOD. ASH represents DEATH, MORTALITY and SORROW. Of course you know that ASH Wednesday is a big ritual in the ROMAN Catholic Church. ASH and Death are associated with CARNIVAL (the celebration of flesh) all around the world at this time. I believe these fires are part of the MAGICKE workings they are doing right now.
Did you see the photos I posted from the La Palma Carnival Celebration?
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We know that the entire La Palma drama was/and still is a part of their Magicke workings. It is not over yet. But, do you remember the affect of all the ash and smoke from the Volcano?
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Report: Possible cause of west Texas wildfires emerges as smoke arrives in Houston
EASTLAND, Texas (AP) – Low humidity and gusty winds are fueling multiple wildfires in West Texas and smoke from them has arrived in the Houston area. Burning homes and other structures are prompting evacuations of small communities where it’s all happening. Several wildfires merged to form what fire officials call a “complex” that’s burning near Eastland, about 120 miles west of Dallas.
The fire as of Friday morning had burned about 62.5 square miles. It was only 2% contained and fires were burning in thick brush and grass fields.
A nursing home in Rising Star was evacuated. And a church and several downtown buildings burned Thursday in the small town of Ranger. A fire official says the fire in Ranger may have started from a barbecue pit. There are no reports of injuries.
Friday morning on NO WAIT WEATHER + TRAFFIC, CW39 Chief meteorologist Adam Krueger featured a time lapse of the smoke over Houston seen on our LIVE Sky Tracker Camera Network.
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Yesterday, I caught this story online about a huge fire at Walmart’s Distribution Center, in Indianapolis. You know these things are NEVER accidents. There is no telling how much of our necessary supply of food and goods burned up in this massive blaze. LOOK AT ALL THAT SMOKE AND ASH!!!
It may seem to you that this is a digression from today’s topic, but I guarantee it is not!! You and I do not live by numbers and symbolism, but the ones who rule our lives DO!
Mar 16, 2022
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PRAY FOR ME!! The ring of fires encircles my town. Corsicana, TX. Texas is very dry…
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Drought conditions across much of the state fuel Central …
A fire in Ranger, Texas, has destroyed buildings in the city’s historic downtown, including the police department and a 100-year-old church. And a wildfire in Abilene prompted evacuations of homes and properties. Smoke from that fire has reached as far as Houston.
Texas A&M Forest Service spokesperson Erin O’Connor says the Abilene fire, known as the Eastland Complex fire, comprises four fires that are being managed as a single blaze by firefighters.
“That includes the Kidd Fire in Eastland County, which is approximately 30,000 acres; and the Oakmont Fire in Brown County, which is approximately 4,500 acres; the Wheat Field fire in Eastland County, which is approximately 5,000 acres; and the Walling Fire in Eastland County, which is 383 acres,” O’Connor told Texas Standard.
The Eastland Comples is 2% contained, and has caused evacuations and road closures in several communities. Officials have not yet released any information about injuries or fatalities.
“It’s a quickly evolving situation,s o we’re still trying to get some eyes on the fire this morning and get a good assessment of what happened overnight,” O’Connor said.
Firefighters are working with local fire departments, as well as state and military agencies. O’Connor says aircraft will fly over the fire areas on Friday, wind conditions permitting.
“Our fire crews last night into this morning were focused on life safety, structure protection and then also trying to construct containment lines where possible,” O’Connor said.
Texas fire danger map
You can find updated fire danger information here.
If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.
KLST San AngeloJames Smith – Monday
© Provided by KLST San Angelo
Exceptional drought has returned to the state for the first time since June. Moderate or worse drought jumped to its largest area since 2013.
Over 90% of the state is reporting drought conditions as of Tuesday, March 8th. Prior reports show that drought conditions were at 81% a week ago, 55% three months ago and 62% a year ago.
Below is a list of current drought levels throughout the state, the severity of the drought, the percentage of the state in specific drought levels and comparisons ranging from a week ago to a year ago:
Below is a list of the historically observed impacts each level of drought provided by the U.S. Drought Monitor (Note: Not all counties respond the same way to elevated drought levels):
For more on current drought levels, visit the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Texas Water Development Board’s Water Weekly Report.
Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Wildfire threat rises in Central Texas with dry air, winds …
Drought growing in Central Texas About 96% of the state — including the Austin-area counties of Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop and Caldwell — is experiencing some level of drought,
Roberto VillalpandoSpring in Central Texas typically means the start of shorts-wearing weather and drought-busting rain, but conditions this week are raising the danger for the spread of wildfires.
Gusty winds, coupled with humidity levels under 25% for areas mainly west of Interstate 35, will keep the fire threat elevated through Saturday, the National Weather Service said.
Fire crews have already responded to several brush fires in recent days, including one in western Blanco County, in the Hill Country due west of Austin. The Texas A&M Forest Service on Sunday afternoon requested assistance for what was dubbed the Buddy Fire, northwest of Johnson City and west of RM 1320.
The fire had initially burned an estimated 350 acres on Sunday before expanding almost 1,000 acres over the next two days. By Tuesday, the Buddy Fire had burned 1,325 acres and was 90% contained.
“Crews will focus on patrolling the fire area and continuing mop up operations,” the Texas A&M Forest Service tweeted Tuesday morning.
A red flag warning was in effect Tuesday afternoon across portions of the Hill Country and the I-35 corridor, the weather service said. Another red flag warning is possible Wednesday.
Under a red flag warning, critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will soon occur, forecasters said.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to mobilize state resources, including personnel and vehicles, to respond to the fire threat.
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Now that is concerning. I don’t know what you have seen or how aware you might be, but in our little country town, we have tons of military vehicles and equipment and most likely weapons stored just waiting…
Once they mobilize all that you know there is no going back. They never go back to normal, unless it is only an exercise in preparation. Once the military is bunkered in and the equipment is fired up and mobilized, Marshal Law would not be far behind.