Firefighter Burned, Apparatus Destroyed at TX Brush Fire

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USA-A firefighter was burned and his apparatus was destroyed during a large grass fire in Parker County Wednesday.

Parker County Emergency Services District #6 Brush 44 was the first unit to arrive at the fast-moving grass fire around 10 a.m. The fire had already consumed 15 acres.

The Brush 44 crew drove across the already burned-out area towards the head of the fire to begin an attack, Parker County Emergency Services District #6 Capt. Cody Sheppard told Firehouse.com. The crew cut through two fences to access the fire, which had already spread to 50 acres, including grass and trees.

“The driver began to lose sight of the area due to heavy smoke conditions,” Sheppard said. “The driver decided to duck out of the black (burned) and into the green (grass) at which time the truck became stuck in very soft sugar sand.”

While the crew attempted to remove the stuck vehicle, the wind shifted and the head of the fire rapidly burned toward the firefighters.

“The crew decided to abandon the truck and the firefighter on the back climbed on top of the water tank, hose in hand, and began to try and fend off some of the flames to allow the driver time to get out.” Sheppard said the two firefighters ran towards an area they felt would be safe from the impinging fire.

Sheppard said the driver—who was not wearing full protective equipment—tripped and fell.

The driver “was over run by the fire line which was about 50 feet wide with flames about six feet tall,” according to Sheppard. He suffered first and second degree burns to his face, head, arms and hands.

The firefighter picked up the injured member and the two made it to safety.

“It could’ve been much much worse,” Sheppard said.

A group of ranch hands who were releasing livestock came across the two firefighters and used their horses to bring the two to the command post.

The driver was transported to the burn unit at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas and released that evening. Sheppard said he will need additional treatment for the burns.

The firefighter was singed by the fire and treated at the scene.

“Anytime something like this happens, you think what if there was anything any else we can do,” Sheppard said. “In this situation, there wasn’t much else we could do.”

Sheppard said recent training included discussions about remaining in the areas that have already burned out and wearing full PPE to protect responders.

Brush 44’s apparatus, a 2011 Dodge with a skid unit, was destroyed in the fire that consumed 250 acres. It was the department’s newest brush fire rig.

Several fire departments responded to contain the fire, including crews from the Texas Forest Service.