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Lightning, sparks cause recent fires

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By Lynsi Musselman

Another hot week means another week of wildfires in Shackelford County.

With hopes of rain and previous dry conditions come some dangers too. Lightning strikes caused a fire on Highway 283 North and another on Highway 576 according to Kristi Brooker, Shackelford County Rural Fire Department secretary.

The largest recent fire,  one that started Tuesday afternoon, July 21 on Highway 180 East, was caused when a vehicle drove into the bar ditch just east of the roadside park. What was probably the car’s hot catalytic converter caused a spark in tall grass that ignited a large wildfire that stretched across part of the Stasney Ranch. 

H.R. Stasney & Sons manager Lance Thomas said the wildfire burned between 400 and 600 acres and killed at least two cows and two calves. 

“Burning pasture is not the worst thing, but when you have livestock in the middle of a field that you cannot get out, then it becomes a real problem,” Thomas said. 

He explained that the fire created its own wind that changed it from blowing from east to west to blowing from the north.

“Gusts of wind blowing at least 25 mph to the south is what took the cattle,” he said. “Visibility from the wind gusts and smoke was poor, which made it hard to even see in front of the trucks. Years of built-up brush in certain areas created a huge plume of smoke.”

Thomas reported the fire had a lot of fuel to work with on the ground, and the fire even restarted the next morning, sending the forest service and volunteers out to contain it.

“Going out to save homes and ranches is a huge service these volunteer firefighters provide to our community,” Thomas said. 

He added there were multiple other departments from the area called out to the Stasney fire, using up a lot of man hours and services.

“There is a lot of land in Shackelford County that has not burned in many years,” Thomas reported. “A controlled burn is less costly and can decrease the damage that a wildfire causes. Fires do not discriminate.”

Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) district conservationist Justin Odom said his office can provide a burn plan, which is required during a burn ban, for those planning a controlled burn.

“Controlled burns are important to land management by decreasing natural flammable fuel, managing undesirable vegetation, and restoring and maintaining ecological sites,” Odom said. “They also enhance seed and seedling production, plant production and quality, as well as improve wildlife habitats.”

Shackelford County Judge Bob Skelton said residents do not need approval from the judge when a burn barn is in effect if a prescribe burn plan is in place, as long as property owners or managers have a permit.

However, he said it is a good idea to let his office know when a prescribe burn is being performed.

To apply for a burn plan permit, call the NRCS- USDA Service Center in Albany at 325-762-2552.