Grassfires Getting Under Control
By: Bill Beebe, Texas Forest Service
Updated: April 13, 2009
The Texas Forest Service provided this status update of the area fires at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Shackleford Co. – Black Fire. This fire is located at N32 51.81 W99 4.35 at FM 2482 and CR 112. This fire is estimated at 16,000 acres and is about 95% contained. It is threatening Albany which included 475 homes. The Texas Forest Service has deployed bulldozers, task forces and supervisors to assist the local fire departments on this fire. Firefighters estimate that all dozer lines needed for containment will be completed this evening.
Young Co. – Cement Mountain Fire. Updated location is N33 4.742 W 98 27.142. This fire has burned 27,876 acres and is 90% contained. Two fires (Graham, Cement) have burned together. The first fire (Graham) started just east of the Graham Airport south of 380 and burned towards the Cement Road. The second fire (Cement) started just off Cement Mountain Road south of US380 and burned east toward the Jack County line. This fire had been estimated as large as 35,000 acres but GPS mapping indicated that is was somewhat smaller. Texas Forest Service resources remained on the fire overnight and were relieved this morning by other Texas Forest Service resources reassigned from other fires.
Montague Co. – Montague Complex. This complex of fires in Montague County has burned an estimated 26,783 acres and is estimated to be 20% contained. This fire burned through the towns of Stoneburg and Sunset destroying multiple structures and causing the death of three civilians. There have been at least 100 homes, two businesses and livestock. Two civilians who died were killed while trying to leave their home, the third died of a heart attack while trying to save animals. In addition to the fatalities there were two serious injuries; one was transported by life flight to a burn center the other refused to be transported.
Eastland Co. – Cedar Mountain Fire. This fire was reported to the Texas Forest Service on April 7 at 14:55. Resources were dispatched and the fire was considered contained at 60 acres but escaped those lines and is now estimated to be 18,360 acres and 90% contained. This fire has burned northeast of Cisco towards US 183 and north up to Morton Valley then into Stephens County. It is still northeast of Eastland. This fire is burning in grass and juniper in rough terrain which has caused suppression to be difficult. Crews located and suppressed a 15 acre spot fire that had crossed the containment lines in the northwest portion of the fire today.
Stephens Co. – Breckenridge “Convenience Store” Fire. This fire burned about 3,200 acres and is considered to be 90% contained. It burned from US 183 just north of the Breckenridge City limits to SH67 where it jumped that highway. An apartment complex, multiple businesses and several homes were evacuated. No losses have been reported.
Shackleford Co. – Black Fire. This fire is located at N32 51.81 W99 4.35 at FM 2482 and CR 112. This fire is estimated at 16,000 acres and is about 95% contained. It is threatening Albany which included 475 homes. The Texas Forest Service has deployed bulldozers, task forces and supervisors to assist the local fire departments on this fire. Firefighters estimate that all dozer lines needed for containment will be completed this evening.
Young Co. – Cement Mountain Fire. Updated location is N33 4.742 W 98 27.142. This fire has burned 27,876 acres and is 90% contained. Two fires (Graham, Cement) have burned together. The first fire (Graham) started just east of the Graham Airport south of 380 and burned towards the Cement Road. The second fire (Cement) started just off Cement Mountain Road south of US380 and burned east toward the Jack County line. This fire had been estimated as large as 35,000 acres but GPS mapping indicated that is was somewhat smaller. Texas Forest Service resources remained on the fire overnight and were relieved this morning by other Texas Forest Service resources reassigned from other fires.
Montague Co. – Montague Complex. This complex of fires in Montague County has burned an estimated 26,783 acres and is estimated to be 20% contained. This fire burned through the towns of Stoneburg and Sunset destroying multiple structures and causing the death of three civilians. There have been at least 100 homes, two businesses and livestock. Two civilians who died were killed while trying to leave their home, the third died of a heart attack while trying to save animals. In addition to the fatalities there were two serious injuries; one was transported by life flight to a burn center the other refused to be transported.
Eastland Co. – Cedar Mountain Fire. This fire was reported to the Texas Forest Service on April 7 at 14:55. Resources were dispatched and the fire was considered contained at 60 acres but escaped those lines and is now estimated to be 18,360 acres and 90% contained. This fire has burned northeast of Cisco towards US 183 and north up to Morton Valley then into Stephens County. It is still northeast of Eastland. This fire is burning in grass and juniper in rough terrain which has caused suppression to be difficult. Crews located and suppressed a 15 acre spot fire that had crossed the containment lines in the northwest portion of the fire today.
Stephens Co. – Breckenridge “Convenience Store” Fire. This fire burned about 3,200 acres and is considered to be 90% contained. It burned from US 183 just north of the Breckenridge City limits to SH67 where it jumped that highway. An apartment complex, multiple businesses and several homes were evacuated. No losses have been reported.
