TX Wildfires Statement from State Operations Center
TX Wildfires Statement from State OperationsCenter
31 January 2008
published by www.kten.com
STATE OF TEXAS, STATE OPERATIONSCENTER (SOC)
SUBJECT: Texas Wildfires
SITUATION REPORT # 10
DATE AND TIME COVERED: Tuesday, January 29, 2008, 3:00 p.m. through Wednesday,January 30, 2008 3:00 p.m.
1. CURRENT SITUATION: Critical
The Governor of Texas has certified that 152 counties in Texas are currentlythreatened by extreme fire hazard. Windy conditions and a lack of precipitationhave dried grass and other vegetation across the state, posing significant firedanger, which is expected to continue.
This threat exits in the following counties in Texas: Andrews, Archer,Armstrong, Atascosa, Bandera, Baylor, Bell, Bexar, Bosque, Brewster, Briscoe,Brooks, Brown, Carson, Castro, Childress, Clay, Cochran, Coke, Collingsworth,Comal, Comanche, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Culberson,Deaf Smith, Delta, Denton, Dickens, Dimmit, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, Ellis,Erath, Fannin, Fisher, Foard, Frio, Garza, Gray, Grayson, Guadalupe, Hale, Hall,Hamilton, Hansford, Hardeman, Haskell, Hays, Hemphill, Hidalgo, Hill, Hockley,Hood, Howard, Hudspeth, Hunt, Hutchinson, Irion, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, JimWells, Johnson, Jones, Karnes, Kaufman, Kendall, Kent, Kerr, Kimble, King,Kinney, Kleberg, Knox, LaSalle, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Liberty, Limestone,Lipscomb, Live Oak, Llano, Loving, Lynn, Martin, Mason, Maverick, McCulloch,McLennan, Medina, Menard, Midland, Milam, Mills, Mitchell, Montague, Motley,Navarro, Nolan, Nueces, Oldham, Palo Pinto, Parker, Parmer, Pecos, Potter,Presidio, Rains, Randall, Reagan, Real, Refugio, Robertson, Rockwall, Runnels,San Saba, Schleicher, Somervell, Starr, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton,Swisher, Tarrant, Taylor, Terry, Throckmorton, Tom Green, Travis, Upton, Uvalde,Val Verde, Van Zandt, Waller, Ward, Washington, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger,Willacy, Wilson, Winkler, Wise, Young, and Zavala.
With the existence of such threat, the Governor has directed that allnecessary measures, both public and private, as authorized under Section 418.015of the Texas Government Code, be implemented to meet that threat.
Counties: 152Total
Population: 9,818,496
Total Square Miles: 167,497.3
To provide an effective response for fire suppression operations, severalactions have been taken. The State Operations Center (SOC) has activated 8aircraft from the Texas Military Forces. The Texas Forest Service (TFS) isdeploying ground assets to threatened areas. The Texas Department ofTransportation is providing fuel for fire fighting apparatus, a maintainer, adozer, 21 other vehicles, 29 personnel, and 2 portable dynamic message signs.
Morning fire information for Wednesday January 30, 2008 — Fire occurrencefor the past seven days: TFS 26 fires for 27,099 acres / VFD 63 fires for 6,375acres. Relative humidity for today will be in the mid 20 percent range for mostof the state, with the Panhandle Region in the mid-teens. Northwest winds at11-27 mph will be observed over most of the State, with Northeast winds at 25-30mph being observed over the Trans Pecos and Panhandle areas. Fuels are at AboveNormal moisture for most of the state, with areas of dryness in the Panhandle.
All Fire Departments (FDs) who respond tofires and not requesting assistance are encouraged to report fire occurrence anddamages. Fire Departments can contact the Texas Forest Service at979-458-7306 for assistance in setting up the reporting element.
A. Current Priorities: No Change
- 1. Protection of life and property
- 2. Rapid and effective wildfire response
- 3. Firefighter safety
- 4. Rapid damage assessment
- 5. Maximum public awareness of threat
B. Major Fire Activity (by County) reported on 29 – 30,January 2008:
Martin County: Thefire, approximately three mile long and two miles wide burned approximately 7200acres, and was located at the Holt Ranch at State Highway 349 and State Highway176 has been contained. One home was threatened and saved. The Texas ForestService, Martin County, Andres County and Midland County Volunteer FireDepartments, City of Midland Fire Department, Martin County Emergency ManagementCoordinator (EMC), Midland County EMC, Martin County Emergency MedicalTechnicians and Key Energy responded. (RLO 4A)
Wise County: A300-acre wildfire in Wise County, located at the intersection of State Highway114 and FM 3259 south of Paradise, destroyed 6 occupied homes, 10 vacant houses,two barns, 14 outbuildings and damaged one occupied home now has been contained.Three additional fires in county were also reported.( RLO 1A)
Parker County: A5-acre grass fire located at 2900 Cattle Barron Rd is threatening 5 structuresand was caused by downed power lines. (RLO Sub 5B)
A 20-acre grassfire located at theintersection of Russell Bend and Red Top Road, in the Northeast corner of thecounty. Five homes are being threatened. Responding agencies include, Poolville,Adell Whitt, Cool Garner, Peaster, Aledo, and Springtown VFD. TXDOT isresponding with road equipment. (RLO Sub 5B)
A 10-acre wildfire in heavy fuels locatedat 727 W. Canyon Creek Lane is threatening several structures. Respondingagencies include; Brock Dennis, Cool Garner, Greenwood, La Junta VFD andWeatherford Fire Department. (RLO Sub 5B)
Reports of 23 individual grass and/orstructure fires with 18 structures lost including homes and barns. A total of3300 to 3500 acres burned. All fires were contained. (RLO Sub 5A)
Hays County: A200 acre wildfire located at 6700 Block of Creek Road in the northern part ofthe county is threatening three structures is now contained. The Hays CountyWildland Task Force has been activated. (RLO 6B)
A 20-acre fire, started by a welder,located near Wimberly on Flite Acres Road has been contained. Hays CountyWildland Taskforce #2 has responded. (RLO 6B)
A fire of unknown size is located east ofDripping Springs at the intersection of Acres Road and US 290. Response is frommutual aid from Travis County (RLO 6B)
Erath County: A400-acre wildfire in Dublin has been contained. The fire destroyed severaloutbuildings. Texas Department of Transportation, Erath County Fire Department,Hico, Huckabay, Tolar and Hamilton VFD’s responded. (RLO 6A)
Crocket County: A1500-acre wildfire near Interstate Highway 10 at mile marker 385 has beencontained. Westbound lanes of traffic that were closed have been re-opened.There were no structures threatened. Sonora, Ozona, and El Dorado VFD’s, TexasDepartment of Public Safety, and Texas Department of Transportation responded. S(RLO Sub 4B) (DPS Ozona)
Navarro County: A60-acre wildfire is currently burning in Navarro County near Lake Corsicana onState Highway 31. There are structures threatened. Local VFD’s haveresponded.(RLO sub 2C/6C) (Navarro County EMC)
Nolan County: Awildfire of unknown size that destroyed one outbuilding in Maryneal has beencontained. The fire was located at Farm to Market Road 608. One fire truck wasdestroyed due to a collision with a truck tractor semi-trailer, which causedfour non-life threatening injuries. (RLO Sub 4B)
Callahan County: Awildfire of unknown size, located at Farm to Market Road 18 and Chewy Lane, hasdestroyed one house and is threatening 50 others. Five families have beenevacuated. (RLO Sub 4B)
Duval County: A12,000-acre wildfire located at County Road 256, County Road 257 and Farm toMarket Road 3249 is 80% contained. US Highway 285 was closed. Multiplestructures were threatened and saved. American Red Cross and Salvation Army werecontacted to provide water and food. Coastal Bend – Texas Chapter of AmericanRed Cross provided water to first responders. Texas Department of Public Safetyaircraft, Texas Forest Service, Texas Department of Transportation, and the USFish and Wildlife Serves responded along with several VFD’s. (RLO 3A)
Comanche County: A1400-acre wildfire is currently burning near State Highway 16. Fifteen homeswere threatened and one home was lost. Texas Department of Public Safety,Comanche County Sheriff’s Office and County maintainers have responded alongwith several VFD’s. (RLO 6A)
The Gilliam Ranch Fire in Comanche countyburned 1,000 acres and has been contained. There was one home threatened andsaved. 100 hay bales were destroyed. (RLO 6A)
McLennan County: A40-acre wildfire located near State Highway 6 has been contained. There were nostructures threatened. Maintainers from McLennan and Bosque County, severalVFD’s, and the McLennan County Emergency Management Coordinator responded. (RLO6A)
A 20-acre wildfire in the Riesel area ofsouthern McLennan County has been contained. Several VFD’s, a maintainer fromMcLennan County, and the McLennan County Office of Emergency Managementresponded. (RLO 6A)
Clay County: A2,600 acres wildfire in Clay County has been contained. Nineteen Volunteer FireDepartments responded along with the Clay and Jack County Sheriff’s Office. Onehome, two barns and six outbuildings were destroyed. Eight privately owneddozers and four privately owned graders assisted. (RLO 5B)
Williamson County: Sixfires were reported in Williamson County. The largest fire was at County Road200 and County Road 236 was 400 acres. All fires have been contained. There wereno structures lost. Texas Department of Public Safety provided airbornesurveillance. Several VFD’s responded. (RLO 6B)
A residential structure fire west ofGeorgetown occurred in a rural area. The structure was destroyed, however,several brush trucks responded and were able to prevent the fire from spreadingto a nearby pasture. (RLO 6B)
Bell County: Sevenwildfires that burned a total of 100 acres have all been contained. The WestBell County Fire Strike Force activated and provided assistance to CoryellCounty. The East Bell County Fire Task Force was activated to assist with a firein Temple. Three barns were lost. Multiple fire departments responded. (BellCounty EMC, RLO 6A)
Wilson County: A25-acre wildfire near La Vernia in Wilson County has been extinguished. One homewas threatened and saved. One citizen suffered smoke inhalation and wastransported to a local hospital. (RLO 3B)
Freestone County: A150-acre wildfire on FM 2570 in Freestone County was contained with nostructures threatened and no injuries. TFS responded. (6C)
Cherokee County: A15-acre fire (no location given) was contained with no structures threatened andno injuries. TFS responded. (6C)
Rusk County: A20 -acre fire (no location given) was contained with no structures threatenedand no injuries. TFS responded. (6C)
Anderson County: A5-acre fire (no location given) was contained with no structures threatened andno injuries. TFS responded. (6C)
Floyd County: A100-acre grassfire involving 3,000-4,000 bales of cotton burrs occurredovernight on FM 789. The fire was contained with no structures threatened and noinjuries. (RLO 5A)
Houston/Walker County: A10 to 15-acre fire on FM 2309 at the Houston/Walker County lines was containedprior to the arrival of TFS assets. No structures were threatened and noinjuries reported. (RLO 2C)
Montgomery County: A5-acre fire near Cut-n-Shoot burned overnight and was contained with onestructure threatened and saved. TFS responded. (RLO 2C)
Johnson County: A70-acre fire located on CR 912 in northeast Johnson County was contained with 2structures threatened and saved and no injuries. Johnson County VFD responded. (RLO6A)
Medina County: A5-acre fire, near the Medina/Bandera County lines was contained with nostructures threatened and no injuries. Bandera, Lake Shore and Hondo VFD’sresponded. (RLO 3B)
Ector County: A 5-acrefire east of US 385 and south of 87th streetwas containedwith 1 home threatened and saved, 2 storage buildings lost and no injuries.Odessa FD responded. (RLO 4A)
ReaganCounty: A10-acre fire 9 miles north of Big Lake on TX 137 was contained with no buildingsthreatened and no injuries. North Reagan County, and Big Lake VFD’s responded. (RLO4A)
2. Outdoor Burn Bans and Local Disaster Declarations:
There are currently 154 counties with burn bans and 5local disaster proclamations in effect. These are graphically depicted below:
3. AREAS AFFECTED BY EVENT (Chronologically as reported to the SOC):
Date
Fire Name/City
County
Acres
Damages / Comments
Status
01/28
Martin
7200
One structure threatened and saved. 20 head of cattle lost.
Contained
01/29
Wise
300
16 homes, 16 outbuildings destroyed, 1 home damaged
Contained
01/29
Parker
Unknown
Active
01/29
Parker
20
5 homes threatened
Active
01/29
Parker
10
Several structures threatened
Active
01/29
Parker
3300-3500
5 homes lost, several outbuildings and barns destroyed.
Contained
01/29
Hays
200
3 structures threatened and saved
Contained
01/29
Anderson
5
No buildings threatened
Contained
01/29
Cherokee
15
No buildings threatened
Contained
01/29
Erath
400
Several outbuildings destroyed
Contained
01/29
Freestone
150
No buildings threatened
Contained
01/29
Crockett
1500
None
Contained
01/29
Navarro
60
Several structures threatened
Active
01/29
Nolan
Unknown
One outbuilding destroyed
Contained
01/29
Callahan
Unknown
One home destroyed, 50 threatened
Active
01/29
Hays
20
None
Contained
01/29
Hays
Unknown
Active
01/29-30
Duval
12,000
Multiple Structures Threatened and saved
80% contained
01/29
Comanche
1400
15 homes threatened one home lost
Active
01/29
McLennan
40
None
Contained
01/29
Clay
2600
1 home, 2 barns, 6 outbuildings destroyed
Contained
01/29
McLennan
20
None
Contained
01/29
Williamson
400
None
Contained
01/29
Bell
100
None
Contained
01/29
Comanche
1000
One home threatened and saved
Contained
01/29
Rusk
20
No buildings threatened
Contained
01/29
Wilson
25
One home threatened and saved
Contained
01/30
Floyd
100
No structures threatened
Contained
01/30
Houston/Walker
10-15
No structures threatened
Contained
01/30
Montgomery
5
1 Structure threatened and saved
Contained
01/30
Johnson
70
2 homes threatened and saved
Contained
01/30
Medina
5
No structures threatened
Contained
01/30
Ector
5
1 home threatened and saved
Contained
01/30
Reagan
10
No structures threatened
Contained
01/30
Williamson
0
1 home destroyed
Contained
3. RESPONDING AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS ANDRESOURCES COMMITTED:
Agency/Organization
Resources Committed
Texas Forest Service (TFS)
Crews, (3) 2 Dozer Strike Teams
Texas Military forces (TMF)
(7) UH-60 A/C w/Water Buckets and Personnel – (2) UH-60’s in Austin, (2) UH-60’s in San Antonio (3) UH-60’s in Grand Prairie.
(1) CH-47 A/C w/Water Bucket and Personnel – in Grand Prairie
Governor’s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM)
Regional Liaison Officers
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)
Fuel for fire apparatus. 1 maintainer, 1 dozer, 21 vehicles, 29 personnel, 2 portable dynamic message signs.
American Red Cross
Fire Fighter Relief Stations and ERV’s on Standby
Local Law Enforcement
Local Volunteer Fire Departments
The Salvation Army
Assisting with Canteen Service
4. DAMAGES: Localjurisdictions are reminded to track and maintain accurate cost records relatingto fire suppression activities.
5. EVACUATIONS: Locallyas necessary.
6. SHELTERS: Locallyas necessary.
7. ROADS CURRENTLY CLOSED: None.
8. CURRENT UTILITY OUTAGES: None.
9. COMMENTS:
The Governor’s Division of EmergencyManagement and the Texas Forest Service are closely monitoring the situation.The next conference call will be January 31, 2008 at 10:00 am. The SOC is atLevel I (Emergency Conditions) to support border security operations.
The four levels of SOC activation are:
Level I (Emergency Conditions)
Level II (Escalated Response Conditions)
Level III (Increased Readiness Conditions)
Level IV (Normal Conditions)
This Situation Report can befound on the DEM Homepage at www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem
