Dry conditions elevate fire dangers

By Lynsi Musselman

The month of July has been a scorcher, not unlike most summers in Albany.

Temperatures have hit 108 degrees twice in one week with more hot, dry, and windy days in the forecast, drying out vegetation and causing more concern for wildfires.

Shackelford County Rural Volunteer Fire Department secretary Kristy Brooker said last week alone there were five small local wildfires with one mutual aid fire in Lueders.

“Surprisingly, with the hot and dry conditions, the most recent local wildfires have only been about five to 10 acres,” Brooker explained. 

A fire on the Breckenridge highway started after road crews were grinding rebar and a spark landed on dry grass.

The next day, fire crews responded to a barn on fire at Bluff Creek Ranch where the barn was considered a total loss. 

Another fire on the Breckendridge highway last Thursday was responded to as well as a structure fire on County Road 163. 

In addition to the barn fire last Tuesday, a fire started near a home west of City Park.

 Teresa Grothe said the fire burned within 20 feet of the home.

“Fire crews and family members at the house adjacent to the property responded quickly, saving the home and several outbuildings,” Grothe said.

 She explained that Jordan Hendley, four- year-old cousin of her husband Jimmey, went outside to play and smelled smoke, then alerted his mom who called 911 when she spotted the black and white smoke.

“Jordan is so aware and has been inquisitive about fire safety and the fire department since his Mother’s Day Out program took his class to the Albany fire station last year,” Grothe said. “He came over the day after the fire was put out to see what all he saved with his quick thinking and action.”

The Texas A&M Forest Service encourages residents to do just what Hendley did – immediately tell someone or contact local authorities as soon as a wildfire is spotted. 

Brooker added that local residents can help reduce the risk of wildfires from starting and spreading by keeping the area around their homes clear of tall grass and debris. This also helps create a safe environment for fire rescue teams to operate.

“Owners of open acreage can also help reduce wildfire risks by creating fire guards, and by providing a water source when welding or branding cattle,” Brooker said. “It is important to be vigilant because summer temperatures will most likely continue into the fall.”

Since July 1, Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments have responded to 155 wildfires burning 27,889 acres across the state.

Texas A&M Forest Service predictive services department head Brad Smith said vegetation is rapidly losing moisture due to consecutive days of extreme high temperatures.

“Grass that was green five days ago has wilted and turned brown under the accelerated drying produced from the extreme heat,” Smith said. “It will be quite difficult to replenish the lost moisture during the normally dry months of July and August.”

Texas A&M Forest Service chief regional fire coordinator Rich Gray reports there has been an uptick in wildfire activity across the state of Texas, and conditions continue to deteriorate at a rapid pace.

“Much of Texas is primed for wildfires right now,” Gray explained. “While it is important for individuals to take steps to prepare and protect their homes and families from a wildfire, I also urge residents to think about protecting first responders as well, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, by preventing a wildfire from ever starting.”

County residents are encouraged to dial 911 in the event of a fire  emergency to notify not only Shackelford County Rural and City of Albany Volunteer Fire Departments, but all first responders and other volunteer fire departments that have mutual aid agreements with Shackelford County.