High temps increase fire danger

By Kathy Thomson

When smoke plumes rose into the Shackelford County sky last week, first responders quickly sprang into action to limit the amount of damage caused by the wildfires, and although their hard work and effort contained those fires to a few hundred acres, everyone is reminded to be extra diligent to prevent any fires from starting.

According to a report released by the Texas A&M Forest Service on Monday, Aug. 19, fire activity has been increasing since the first of August, and critical fuel dryness combined with elevated fire weather will continue to produce moderate to high fire potential across most parts of Texas for at least the near future.

The report also said that two significant fires are currently burning in the Rolling Plains.

As of Tuesday, the Copper Breaks Fire in Hardeman County was estimated at over 8,000 acres and only 50 percent contained, and the Bird Ranch Fire in Cottle County was at almost 10,000 acres and 80 percent contained.

Wildfires in the Shackelford County area last week were not as large, but they were still significant and included the Acampo Fire (Newell Ranch) that burned 205 acres and the Harvey Fire that burned 107 acres.

The Texas Forest Service joined with local fire departments, including the Shackelford County Rural Fire Department, to battle the blazes.

“All of the winter and spring moisture we had grew a lot of fuel, and with the 104 and 105 degree days we’ve had the last couple of weeks, it’s drying out very quickly,” said SCRVFD chief Brad Henry. “The fire threat is looking very ominous.”

The Texas Forest Service said that fuel (including items such as grass, brush, and leaf canopies) was critically dry across all of Shackelford County, and most other counties in the Rolling Plains also had either dry or critically dry fuel.

People and their activities cause more than 90 percent of all wildfires in Texas, and the largest number of human-caused wildfires is a result of careless debris burning, according to the Forest Service.

Burning of trash or debris is not allowed when a burn ban is in place, and Shackelford County is currently under a burn ban. 

County residents are also urged to use caution when welding, grilling, or even smoking.

Henry would like to see some locals take an additional step to help protect their neighbors.

“We need volunteers more than anything else, even money or equipment,” the fire chief said. “We are always short of volunteers, and we could sure use more help.”