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Firefighters work to control two fires in north Texas, Chalk Mountain and 1148

Bill GabbertJuly 20, 2022July 20, 2022WildfireTexas5 Comments

Multiple homes were destroyed in both fires

2:07 p.m. CDT July 20, 2022

Chalk Mountain Fire

The Chalk Mountain Fire 48 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Texas has burned more than 6,339 acres north of US near Highway 67 since it started Monday between Dinosaur Valley State Park and the community of Chalk Mountain.

It was first reported north of US 67, east of FM51, then spread north and northeast, crossing CR-205. Wednesday morning it was approaching CR-1008. Group torching of trees and crown fires have been observed with the fire spotting up to 200 yards ahead from timbered areas into brush and grassy fuels. On the west side crews are working to keep the fire east of FM51. Firefighters will continue constructing fire containment lines and providing structure protection to homes Wednesday.

Chalk Mountain Fire July 19, 2022. InciWeb.

On July 19, The Hood County Judge issued a mandatory evacuation for the areas of Hutchinson, Coleman Ranch Road, Rock Church Highway, and Nocal in Tolar, however that evacuation order has since been rescinded.

A Post Fire Assessment Team arrived Tuesday and is assessing impacts on structures. There are 12 confirmed destroyed as of Wednesday morning, however this number is expected to increase.

There have been no reports of serious injuries.

Collateral damage of the Chalk Mountain Fire in Somervell County. Cleanup continues today. #ChalkMountainFire pic.twitter.com/NdTuwJ7Ql3

— David Montesino (@dmontesino) July 20, 2022

1148 Fire, Palo Pinto County

Another fire that started on Monday was the 1148 Fire on the north side of Possum Kingdom Lake four miles west of Pickwick. Wednesday morning it had burned 454 acres north of FM1148.

map 1148 Fire 1116 a.m. July 20 2022 Texas — Map of the 1148 Fire at 11:16 a.m. July 20, 2022,

Tuesday night a hand crew and dozers completed a fireline along the north side, connecting both the west and east sides to FM1148.

The Star-Telegram reported “At least two homes seen from the lake were visibly gutted by the fire. Authorities reported at least eight homes were believed to be destroyed, although assessment of the damage continued as the fire still burned Wednesday. The affected homes are in an area called Lake Shore Cove.”

Initially, 50 homes were evacuated. As of Wednesday that has been reduced to a voluntary evacuation.

Dozer constructing fireline 1148 Fire in Texas — Dozer constructing fireline on north side of the 1148 Fire. Posted on InciWeb July 20, 2022. Credit, J. Smith, Texas Forest Service.

Firefighters working to put out the Possum Kingdom Lake wildfire with Water Scooper Aircraft.?? #tx #possumkingdomlake #wildfire pic.twitter.com/vHEXWm3f95

— Tyler George (@TyGe86) July 18, 2022

Dempsey Fire west of Mineral Wells, continues to challenge Texas firefighters

Bill GabbertJune 26, 2022June 26, 2022WildfireDempsey Fire, Texas3 Comments

Dempsey Fire, June 25, 2022. Texas Forest Service.

The Dempsey Fire six miles west of Mineral Wells, Texas has crossed the Brazos River in several places. It was very active again Saturday, but not to the extreme levels seen on Friday.

When the fire was mapped by an aircraft at 8 p.m. Saturday the northwest side had reached Fortune Bend Road and spotted across. The northeast side of the fire was close to Wrangler Field and had not reached Grassy Ridge Road or Lewis Road. It was about three miles south of Graford, one mile west of highway 337, and two to three miles south of highway 254.

To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Dempsey Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.

The size at that time, accounting for the large unburned areas along the river, was about 10,000 acres. Sunday morning the Texas Forest Service reported it had burned 11,597 acres.

Dempsey Fire map, 8 p.m. CDT June 25, 2022.

On Saturday crews continued to construct line, hold the fire along roadways, engage spot fires, and hold the fire along the Brazos River where they could. Aircraft assisted firefighters on the ground with drops from helicopters and air tankers.

Dempsey fire morning briefing, June 26, 2022. Texas Forest Service.

The weather forecast for the fire area issued at 5:55 a.m. Sunday calls for sunny skies becoming partly cloudy after 3 p.m., 100 degrees, 25 percent relative humidity, and 9 to 13 mph winds out of the west shifting to the northeast in the afternoon with gusts to 23 by 5 p.m. The variable wind direction should slow the growth to the north, but will be a challenge to firefighters as they work to remain safe as the direction of spread changes.

Dempsey Fire, satellite photo, 5:31 p.m. CDT June 25, 2022. NOAA.

Dempsey Fire burns thousands of acres west of Mineral Wells, Texas

Bill GabbertJune 24, 2022June 26, 2022WildfireDempsey Fire, Texas5 Comments

Updated at 9:54 a.m. CDT June 25, 2022

Dempsey Fire map, 8:54 p.m. CDT June 24, 2022.

The Dempsey Fire showed extreme activity well into Friday night and only slowed down when when high humidity set in early Saturday morning. The fire jumped FM Road 4 and Fortune Bend Road, and crossed the Brazos River in multiple places.

To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Dempsey Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.

Additional dozer and engine crews have arrived on scene and began constructing and holding line early Saturday morning. Helicopters and air tankers are expected to be available to assist firefighters.

Satellite photo of smoke from the Dempsey Fire at 5:46 p.m. CDT June 24, 2022.

At 9 a.m. Saturday the Texas Forest Service was still saying the size is 6,500 acres. That could change with updated mapping.

An updated spot weather forecast from the NWS for Saturday calls for clear skies, 105 degrees, 19 percent relative humidity, and winds out of the south at 5 to 9 mph.

10:35 p.m. CDT June 24, 2022

Dempsey Fire, west of Mineral Springs, Texas — Dempsey Fire, west of Mineral Wells, Texas, June 24, 2022. Photo via Texas Forest Service.

The Dempsey Fire 6 miles west of Mineral Wells, Texas was extremely active Friday afternoon, growing to approximately 6,500 acres as the temperature soared to 106 degrees. The Texas Forest Service reported it ran to the north and northwest, jumping the Brazos River and FM Road.

Dempsey Fire location map Texas — Dempsey Fire location map, 6 miles west of Mineral Wells, TX.

Engines have been engaged in structure protection as dozers construct line along the flanks of the fire. Aircraft are assisting firefighters by cooling the head and flanks, slowing the rate of spread and buying time for the ground crews. Evacuations are in effect south of Grassy Ridge Road.

After 2 p.m. Friday the wind at the Mineral Wells Airport was out of the south and southeast at 10 to 18 mph gusting at 20 to 30 while the relative humidity was 17 percent. The spot weather forecast for Friday night calls for 7 to 12 mph winds out of the south and southeast with the humidity rising to 50 percent by dawn. On Saturday the wind will be from the south at 10 to 15 mph with 18 percent relative humidity and a high temperature of 105. These weather conditions will favor the continued spread of the fire to the north and northwest .

Mesquite Heat Fire burns 20 homes southwest of Abilene, Texas

Bill GabbertMay 21, 2022May 22, 2022WildfireMesquite Heat Fire, Texas6 Comments

Updated 2:02 p.m. CDT May 22, 2022

Map of the Mesquite Heat Fire in Texas. The red line was the perimeter at 9:14 p.m. May 21, 2022. The white line was the perimeter about 24 hours before.

The Incident Management Team on the Mesquite Heat Fire 7 miles southwest of Abilene, Texas reports that it has burned 11,256 acres. The increase is due to more accurate mapping.

Active, open flame was reported Saturday morning on the eastern side of the fire although fire intensity was low. Minimal fire behavior is expected Sunday. However, fuels remain extremely dry and could support some moderate, low intensity growth.

Fire authorities have revised the number of homes destroyed from 27 to 20, with another 7 outbuildings destroyed.

Firefighters are focusing on the uncontained firelines along the north, west, and southern edges of the fire, assisted by heavy equipment.

Saturday at 8 a.m. the Southern Area Incident Management Gold Team assumed command led by Incident Commander Dave Martin and in unified command with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.

Here’s what driving down HWY277 looks like after the #MesquiteHeatFire passed through. Ash everywhere, some dead wildlife, crews working to restore power. @KTABTV @KRBCnews @bigcountryhome pic.twitter.com/a2fRkTuLSv

— Mercedez Hernandez (@SadieOnTV) May 21, 2022

10:35 a.m. CDT May 21, 2022

The Mesquite Heat Fire has destroyed approximately 27 homes 7 miles southwest of Abilene, Texas. Since it started May 17 alongside Highway 277 it has burned 7 miles to the northeast, consuming 9,613 acres during extreme weather conditions — temperature of 107 degrees, 10 percent relative humidity, and winds gusting to 30 mph.

Firefighters aided by aircraft kept it from spreading significantly Friday as unburned pockets of fuel flared up in the interior. Crews continued to construct containment line along the perimeter of the fire with a heavy focus on the southern flank in preparation for the predicted winds out of the north Saturday morning.

The Southern Geographic Area Incident Management Team #2 (Gold Team) is assigned. Resources on the fire Friday evening included 15 fire engines and 1 helicopter for a total of 59 personnel.

Friday evening evacuations were still in place with limited access for Country Place South to FM 89, South of FM 1235, Hillside Rd, Denton Valley Rd, Braune Rd and CR 297.

US Highway 277 reopened Friday night. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook, “Several guardrails are only laying on the ground and reflective striping may not be visible or still present due to fire damage.”

Mesquite Heat Fire southwest of Abilene, TX, posted May 18, 2022 by Texas Forest Service.

Extreme fire weather expected Friday in portions of New Mexico and Colorado

Bill GabbertApril 21, 2022April 24, 2022UncategorizedColorado, Kansas, ludicrous weather, New Mexico, Texas, weather5 Comments

“Friday’s expected weather could rival the most powerful fire events of the past decade,” said a NWS meteorologist

Updated 7:22 a.m. MDT April 22, 2022

Extreme fire weather April 22, 2022 — Critical and Extreme fire weather predicted by the Storm Prediction Center for 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, April 22 & 23, 2022.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Fire Weather Outlook for 6 a.m. MDT Friday April 22 until 6 a.m. MDT Saturday April 23 that uses language we rarely see in a fire weather forecast, including “extremely critical” and “dangerous”.

The forecast warns about extremely critical fire weather conditions in portions of central and eastern New Mexico and eastern Colorado, and critical fire weather for portions of the southern and central high plains.

Click to see all articles on Wildfire Today, including the most recent, about the Calf Canyon, Hermits Peak, and Cooks Peak fires.

Sustained winds out of the south-southwest at 30 to 40 mph with widespread gusts of 50-60 mph are expected with 5 to 15 percent relative humidity. The fuels are exceptionally dry and isolated thunderstorms with little or no rain are possible in some areas.

Three existing fires in northern New Mexico east and northeast of Santa Fe could be vulnerable to extreme conditions, the Cooks Peak Fire, Calf Canyon Fire, and the Hermits Peak Fire. Friday’s forecast for the Calf Canyon Fire, which was very active Thursday, calls for southwest winds of 46 mph gusting to 64 mph with relative humidity in the teens and 20s. It will also be very windy on Saturday.

In Northern New Mexico the wind speeds will increase through the morning, peaking in the afternoon.

Satellite photo smoke from fires New Mexico — Satellite photo showing smoke from the Cooks Peak and Hermits Peak Fires in northern New Mexico at 6:30 p.m. MDT April 21, 2022. NOAA.

CNN is taking this forecast seriously in an article written by four of their meteorologists. Here are some excerpts:

Friday’s expected weather could rival the most powerful fire events of the past decade, Zach Hiris, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Boulder, Colorado, told CNN.

Compared to recent extremely critical, wind-driven fire dangers in rural areas, some major population centers are threatened in this event, including Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Colorado Springs and the Denver metro area in Colorado.

“There is high confidence that a widespread extreme and potentially catastrophic fire weather event will occur on Friday,” said the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque.

In addition to fueling the fires, widespread wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph — and even 80 mph in scattered areas — could knock down large tree limbs, utility poles and other structures while threatening to topple high-profile vehicles, the weather service said.

Here is the forecast produced by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center at 12:20 p.m. MDT Thursday April 21:

Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0202 AM CDT Fri Apr 22 2022

Valid 221200Z – 231200Z

…EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NEW MEXICO INTO EASTERN COLORADO… …CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS…

…Synopsis… ***DANGEROUS FIRE-WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED TODAY ACROSS PORTIONS OF EAST-CENTRAL NEW MEXICO INTO EASTERN COLORADO***

A highly amplified large-scale trough and accompanying intense deep-layer south-southwesterly flow will emerge over the southern Rockies and adjacent High Plains by peak heating. As a result, strong cyclogenesis will occur over far northeastern Colorado during the afternoon, with a sharpening dryline extending southward along the Kansas/Colorado border and the Texas/New Mexico border. The combination of a strong surface pressure gradient, hot/dry conditions behind the dryline, and strong south-southwesterly flow aloft will result in extremely critical fire-weather conditions from east-central New Mexico into eastern Colorado today.

…East-central New Mexico into eastern Colorado… As temperatures climb into the upper 70s to middle 80s behind the sharpening dryline, deep boundary-layer mixing into very dry air aloft will result in widespread 5-15 percent minimum RH. At the same time, 30-40 mph sustained south-southwesterly surface winds (with widespread gusts of 50-60 mph) will overspread critically dry fuels (ERCs above the 90th+ percentile). The volatile combination of very strong/gusty winds, anomalously warm/dry conditions, and near-record dry fuels will encourage extreme fire-weather conditions.

…Remainder of the central and southern High Plains… The eastern extent of critical fire-weather conditions will be demarcated by the placement of the dryline. Strong 30+ mph sustained southerly surface winds (with higher gusts) concurrent with afternoon RH values below 20% will extend into southern New Mexico, West Texas, the western Texas/Oklahoma Panhandles, western Kansas, and western Nebraska — where fuels remain critically dry.

…Dry Thunderstorm Potential… Another point of concern will be isolated dry thunderstorm development immediately along and ahead of the dryline this afternoon, which is expected to take place along the axis of the driest fuels. Any cloud-to-ground lightning flashes that can occur in proximity to the Colorado/Kansas and New Mexico/Texas border area will do so over very receptive fuels, and likely with little wetting rainfall at the early stages of thunderstorm evolution.

..Jirak.. 04/22/2022

(end of forecast)

Below is the forecast for the area near the Calf Canyon fire 23 miles east of Santa Fe.

Weather forecast Calf Fire — Weather forecast for the Calf Fire area, 7 a.m. MDT April 22, 2022.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Rick.

50 homes burn in wildfires southeast of Abilene, Texas

Bill GabbertMarch 19, 2022March 20, 2022WildfireEastland Complex, Texas11 Comments

Deputy Sheriff killed while evacuating residents on the Eastland Complex of fires

Updated at 9:31 a.m. CT March 20, 2022

Saturday night the Texas Forest Service released the sizes of the four wildfires in the Eastland Complex :

Kidd Fire 42,333 acres
Oak Mott Fire 4,031 acres
Wheat Field Fire 7,268 acres
Walling Fire 383 acres
TOTAL: 54,015 acres

The Dallas Morning News reported Saturday that 86 homes and a majority of the small town of Carbon, Texas, were destroyed.

The video below illustrates why the recent fires in Texas have been difficult to stop.

Yesterday, Texas A&M Forest Service responded to 10 wildfires that burned 52,708 acres across the state. Strong winds, critically dry grasses contributed to extreme fire behavior and rapid spread.

? Extreme fire behavior observed on the Eastland Complex in Eastland County, 3/17 pic.twitter.com/9ZBJu1ObPs

— Incident Information – Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 18, 2022

Updated 1:14 p.m. CT March 19, 2022

Map of Eastland Complex of fires in Texas at 8 p.m. March 18, 2022.

At least 50 homes have been destroyed by wildfires that broke out in the Eastland County area this week, Gov. Greg Abbott said during a news conference Friday at the Eastland Volunteer Fire Department.

Sergeant Barbara Fenley. Eastland County Sheriff's Office — Sergeant Barbara Fenley. Eastland County Sheriff’s Office photo.

The Governor presented a Texas flag to a relative of Sergeant Barbara Fenley of the Eastland County Sheriff’s Office who was killed while evacuating residents from the fires.

“While evacuating people and going door-to-door, Fenley was last heard that she was going to check on an elderly individual,” a statement from the Sheriff’s office read. “With the extreme deteriorating conditions and low visibility from smoke, Sgt. Fenley ran off the roadway and was engulfed in the fire. Sgt. Fenley gave her life in the service of others and loved her community.”

To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Eastland Complex of fires in Texas, including the most recent, click here: https://wildfiretoday.com/tag/eastland-complex/

The Fort Worth Police Officers Association wrote on their Facebook page, “Sergeant Fenley had served with the Eastland County Sheriff’s Office for nine years and had previously served with the Gorman Police Department for 10 years, including six years as the police chief.”

Four fires 40 to 45 miles east-southeast of Abilene, Texas primarily in Eastland County have burned at least 45,000 acres; unofficial reports put it at more than 53,000. For administrative purposes the Texas Forest Service has grouped them into the Eastland Complex of fires.

Eastland Complex of fires, Texas. March, 2022. Texas Forest Service photo.

The acreages below were provided at 11 a.m. CT, March 19 by Angel Lopez Portillo, a spokesperson for the fires.

The Kidd Fire, approximately 34,000 acres, south of Eastland burned through Carbon March 17, heavily impacting structures. On Friday there was increased activity on the southern portion of the fire. Ground crews, dozers, motor graders, and aircraft worked on hotspots. Engine crews were focused on mop up operations around structures. Ground resources will continue building containment lines around the fire perimeter Saturday.

The Wheatfield Fire northeast of Cross Plains has burned an estimated 5,000 acres. There was increased activity Friday, but ground and aviation resources were able to work hotpots. There is currently no threat to the community of Rising Star. On Saturday resources will focus on constructing, widening, and improving containment lines.

The Oak Mott Fire has blackened 5,252 acres southwest of Rising Star in Comanche and Brown Counties. It is completely contained.

The Walling Fire northeast of Cross Plains was mapped at 383 acres and is contained.

A fire not in the Complex is the 586-acre Mariah Ridge Fire south of Cross Plains in Brown and Callahan Counties. It has not grown in the last 24 hours.

Other unconfirmed reports put the Kidd Fire at 41,000 acres, and the Wheat Field Fire at more than 6,000 acres.

Mr. Portillo said that in addition to firefighters on the ground, resources working on the fires include three single engine air tankers, two National Guard Blackhawk helicopters, a National Guard Chinook helicopter, another large Type 1 helicopter, and three large fixed wing air tankers.

The wind on the fires decreased Friday and on Saturday will be out of the southwest at 8 to 12 mph, and like on Friday will be moderate enough to allow aircraft to assist firefighters on the ground. The relative humidity will drop Saturday afternoon into the mid-teens under clear skies with a high of 77 degrees. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Western Texas on Sunday. The strong winds will be back in the fire area, 20 mph out of the south and southeast gusting to 28 mph with relative humidity in the mid-teens. Rain is in the forecast for Monday.

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