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Fire Season Better Than Last, But Threat Lingers

By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: April 24, 2012
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This is whats left of one of the worst fire seasons in Texas. 

Ranchers like John Kidd still remember how quickly it all started. 

"We just saw the fire start and it took off and went across us," said Kidd. 

The flames spread to almost three thousand acres- about a quarter of it on the ranch Kidd manages.

"We just wanted to save all we could," he said. 

It left over one $150,000  worth of damages-  unlike any other previous fire.

"This is by far the worst that we've ever had on this place," he said.

I all occurred on County Road 323.  There are now flowers growing and green all around but right next to it, charred trees.

"We have a lot of fields, all the grass that died and burned last year has come back," said Eastland firefighter David Branch.

The greener pastures are an indication that recent rains have helped prevent an early fire season like lasts years, but the greenery is also a double edged sword.

"You know the grass is growing and its preparing to be another bad fire season if  we don't get some more rain pretty quick," said Branch.

Taller grass allows fires to spread more quickly and as the drought continues, the possibility of fires increases.

"Within the next sixty to ninety days were  expecting that were going to start having more grass fires again," said Branch.

Ranchers like Kidd can only sit back and hope for rain. 

"If we don't get some more rain and what not it might get bad before long," he said.

Kidd says they've purchased a small fire truck that they've already used to put out a few smaller fires. 

They had to use hoses to help stop that massive fire last year from spreading- and they want to make sure they're prepared if there's a next time.

The city of Eastland will reinstate its burn ban beginning April 30th. 

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