Evacuations in progress due to fire in Davis Mountains in west Texas

UPDATE at 5:07 p.m. CT, April 29, 2012:

There are two fires burning in the same general area west of Fort Davis, Texas. Below is information from the Southern Area Coordination Center, updated this morning:

Livermore Ranch – This fire is burning 18 miles west of Fort Davis, TX. Values at risk are the community of Davis Mountain Resort (approximately 120 homes) and a repeater site. Evacuations are in effect for Davis Mountain Resort community with shelter set up. Control issues include windy conditions, rugged terrain and drought stricken fuels. Today fire personnel will continue to build fireline and provide structure protection. Growth potential for this fire is report as high.

Spring Mountain – This fire is burning 25 miles west of Fort Davis, TX. Values at risk are ranch community building near the fire area. Difficult terrain and drought stricken fuels are contributing to fire growth. Texas Forest Service personnel will assist local jurisdiction with aerial suppression resources again today. Growth potential is reported as high.

Tony Wilder’s Type 1 Incident Management Team is responding.

According to Marfa Public Radio, updated at 12:30 pm., the Livermore Ranch Fire has burned 10,246 acres and the Spring Mountain fire is 9,580 acres.

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A large fire has resulted in evacuations in a rural area of west Texas between Fort Davis and Valentine in Jeff Davis county near the Davis Mountains Resort. Fire Marshall Stewart Billingsley asked the National Weather Service to transmit the following message via the Emergency Alert System. It was sent out at 7:24 p.m. CDT on Saturday:

RESIDENTS OF JEFF DAVIS COUNTY IN AND AROUND THE DAVIS MOUNTAINS RESORT…THERE IS A WILDFIRE SLOWLY APPROACHING THE DAVIS MOUNTAINS RESORT FROM THE NORTHWEST. DUE TO THE DANGER POSED BY THIS FIRE… DAVIS MOUNTAINS RESORT RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO EVACUATE IN A CALM AND ORDERLY MANNER. THERE IS TIME BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRE TO EVACUATE SAFELY. PLEASE TAKE ANY NECESSARY ITEMS WITH YOU…ESPECIALLY MEDICATION.

ONCE YOU HAVE EVACUATED…YOU CANNOT RETURN UNTIL THE EMERGENCY HAS PASSED. SOMEONE WILL BE AT THE CATTLE GUARD TO CHECK YOU OUT SO WE CAN ACCOUNT FOR AS MANY RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE. AGAIN…ONCE YOU HAVE DEPARTED THE DAVIS MOUNTAINS RESORT…YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN UNTIL THE EMERGENCY HAS PASSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

Click on the maps below of the fires to see larger versions.

 UPDATED information, April 30, 2012

 UPDATED information, May 1, 2012

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

3 thoughts on “Evacuations in progress due to fire in Davis Mountains in west Texas”

  1. I flew a SEAT on the fires all afternoon and it does not look good, extreme terrain and a wind shift late this evening.

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