By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com
PALO PINTO COUNTY – In a proclamation dated Friday, Gov. Rick Perry extended a state of disaster and certified that 216 of the state’s 254 counties continue to be “threatened by extreme fire hazard.”
“This a renewal of the proclamation issued on Jan. 29,” stated Palo Pinto County Judge Mike Smiddy.
Palo Pinto is among the 216 counties covered in the declaration.
“This means that our county is eligible for state assistance in the event of a wildfire situation,” Smiddy added.
In his proclamation, Perry cited “dry frontal passages pose significant fire danger because of the large amount of cured grass across the state.”
The season’s cold fronts have brought strong, drying winds and low relative humidity. Sparks from something as small as a cigarette or emptied ashes have ignited acres in the county.
Fire departments throughout the state have reported 177 fires for 27,917 acres burned through the Texas Forest Service’s online reporting system.
Mineral Wells Municipal Airport supervisor Bobby Bateman reported that they have provided a staging area for firefighting crews during the past month.
Stationed at the airport is the Louisiana Strike Team No. 9, a bulldozer strike force comprised of 12 Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry team members. Also at the airport are safety, dispatch and logistical personnel from the U.S. Forest Service, Texas Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.
The strike team arrived in Mineral Wells Saturday. They were dispatched to the Archer County Fire Feb. 24 with their three John Deere 650 bulldozers. They estimated the fire – two miles from Archer City – was just over 13,500 acres. During the week, they also fought the 485-acre Troy Fire in Jack County, 16 miles southeast of Archer City.
In addition, the airport is the staging location for air crew members and a bright yellow Sikorsky S-61 Fire Tanker helicopter from Oregon-based Carson Helicopters. The yellow “bird” can hold up to 1,000 gallons of water and fill up from a lake, stock tank or pool in about 20 seconds.
Bateman said the helicopter was out for five hours on Thursday and fought fires in Archer, Jack and Eastland counties last week.
According to the Forest Service, air tankers and helicopters have been critical in slowing the spread of fires and saving structures during the past month. Since Feb. 1, 871,148 gallons of water have been dropped by contract aircraft to suppress Texas fires. National Guard helicopters have also contributed heavily to the suppression efforts.
According to Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Perdue, Mineral Wells is one of several communities housing fire resource deployment equipment and crews. The State Incident Command Post is stationed at the airport in Granbury.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Since last week, the Mineral Wells Municipal Airport has been the staging place for the bright yellow Sikorsky S-61 Fire Tanker helicopter from Oregon-based Carson Helicopters. The yellow ‘bird’s’ two pilots, including Capt. Bill Albers, pictured above, and five crewmembers has already fought several fires west of Mineral Wells. Libby Cluett/Index
-
Members of the Louisiana Strike Team No. 9 – Wendell Marcantel, Shane Stokes, Matt Canon and Jason Moseley – pose in front of one of their three bulldozers stationed at Mineral Wells Municipal Airport. Shortly after they arrived last week, they worked all night on the Archer County fire. While one drives the dozer, another crew member either walks ahead to spot potential hazards or walks behind, setting back fires that meet up with the wildfire. Libby Cluett/Index
The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments that do not meet our standards will be removed. Comments by guests made anonymously must be approved before they appear.
Local airport again base for wildfire response teams
- Local News
-
-
City ends water use restrictions
Based upon direction from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the City of Mineral Wells is terminating all water use restrictions which have been in place since Oct. 18.
-
Weekend property crimes reported
According to Mineral Wells police, several property crimes were reported over the past weekend.
-
Three transported to PPGH after crash
Occupants from two vehicles involved in a wreck Saturday morning were transported to Palo Pinto General hospital, where they received treatment for minor injuries.
-
County Records
Palo Pinto County
Clerk Janette Green -
Crews respond to two weekend structure fires
According to Mineral Wells Fire Department records, firefighters were called to two structure fires over the weekend.
-
1950s Sock Hop event to benefit Salvation Army
The community is invited to take a trip back to the 1950s as a unique way to raise money for the Salvation Army.
-
Council to meet in Tuesday session
The Mineral Wells City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the City Hall Annex, 115 S.W. 1st St.
-
Ware to speak at Heritage Association
RJ Ware will be the guest speaker at Thursday’s meeting of the Mineral Wells Heritage Association.
-
Currency buyers event coming to town
Mineral Wells is the next stop on the list for the International Coin Collectors Association’s world tour. During this event at the Best Western Club House Hotel Inn and Suites, 4410 U.S. Highway 180 East, the ICCA will be purchasing coins, paper currency, gold and silver on behalf of their global network of collectors, dealers and refineries.
-
PET OF THE WEEK: Catahoula mix looking for a new place to call home
“Capt. Jack” is a short hair, mixed-breed dog – mostly Catahoula leopard – with an intriguing red merle-patterned coat. This approximately 2-year-old, 55-pound male also has one blue eye and one brown eye. He will need to be fixed as part of his adoption.
- More Local News Headlines
-
City ends water use restrictions
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
