Conditions spark 5 wildfires

By Lynsi Musselman

Over the past two weeks Shackelford County residents have seen five wildfires light up local pastures.

Shackelford County Rural Volunteer Fire Department secretary Kristy Brooker said approximately 2,000 acres have burned since June 9. 

A blaze designated as the “Buffalo Fire” started the streak of fires that burned two uninhabited structures and several outbuildings on Kelly and Sara Head’s property and spread to other nearby properties, including the Leech’splace.

Brooker added that since the Buffalo Fire there have been at least four other fires, including the Skull Fire at the Newell, the Snake Fire at the 7W, the Pump Jack Fire at Prissy and George Harvick’s place, and the High-Fence Fire on the Moran Highway.

“The snake fire was actually started when a snake crawled in a meter box and shorted the meter out,” Brooker explained.

Brooker added that the recent rain will help with dry conditions for a day or two, but once temperatures get back to triple digits, the conditions for fire danger increases.

“We typically respond to wild land fires but have a mutual aide agreement with the City of Albany Fire Department, and they help when there are multiple days with fires,” Brooker said.

Albany Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Paige Thompson said the city fire department has two fire engines and responds to fires in the city limits but can assist with county fires when a structure is involved or when there is a traffic accident.

“We have a great relationship with the county department and can offer them the brush trucks and a water hauler that carries 6,000 gallons of water,” Thompson said.

She added that the city fire department is able to get the county department water in a hurry.

“Hamby, Clyde, and Baird fire departments all responded to the Skull Fire on the Newell last week,” Thompson said. “Hamby was keeping the fire away from Pati and KC Jones’ house, and Albany VFD was refilling their truck with water so the county department could stay on top of the brush. We have a great relationship with all our surrounding counties, and we are grateful for the Forest Service too.”

Thompson gives credit to the community for all the help that is given, even when not asked.

“Louisa Fikes randomly showed up with watermelon the other day while the department was rolling out 600 feet of hose,” Thompson said. “This job is hot and tiring, and the watermelon hit the spot. We appreciate knowing that our work does not go unnoticed.”

Brooker, whose husband Brad Henry is the county fire chief, said both departments are completely made up of volunteers with day jobs and families.

The city and county departments are down the street from each other on Railroad Street, and are both in need of water, Gatorade, and any financial donations that can be given.

Brooker added that the county department is looking for a mechanic to help repair trucks that were damaged fighting fires over the past two weeks.

Brooker also would like to remind residents that Shackelford County is still in a burn ban and to use extreme caution with fireworks during the upcoming holiday.