Local departments assist in countyline fire

Area firefighters and the Texas A&M Forest Service responded to multiple fires last week, with the South Bend Fire on the Young and Stephens County line reaching approximately 752 acres before complete containment was reported Sunday.

Some Stephens County fire departments assisted with containment, according to a post on the Stephens County Facebook page.

According to the Newcastle Fire Department social media page, all fire departments in Young County were working on fires in the county along with the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) and mutual aid from Stephens and Throckmorton County. The fires started Thursday, July 14, on Medlan Chapel Road, Ligon Road in Loving and FM 1974 and 3019 in Eliasville.

TAMFS stated the South Bend fire was burning in hard-to-access terrain approximately 2.5 miles west of Eliasville. Resources with the Burkburnett TAMFS office responded, along with a strike team of engines to assist local responders.

“Aviation resources composed of air attack platform, helicopter and fire bosses have assisted with suppression efforts,” TAMFS wrote Thursday. “Texas A&M Forest Service is working in unified command with the local jurisdiction. Cause is under investigation.”

TAMFS updated the status of the fire Friday, July 15, stating containment was at 45% with dozer continuing to construct containment lines around the perimeter of the fire into the night. The department stated it was taking advantage of the minimized fire activity to help containment efforts of the then-reported 675-acre fire.

“Aerial support showed to be very beneficial in assisting the engines with fire suppression. There were several structures that were threatened but saved, and no structure losses have been reported,” TAMFS stated Friday. “This morning, the incident commander, on board of a helicopter, flew a recon flight over the fire to assess the size and progress of fire suppression, and also to develop a tactical plan for resources. Dozers will continue to work their way around the fire, removing any constructing containment lines, and improving any areas of concern. Engines are locating smokes around the containment lines and cooling them off.”

As of Sunday, the cause of the fire was still undetermined, according to TAMFS. In the department’s Sunday, July 17 update they stated the fire had been 100% contained and spread to an area of approximately 752 acres.

“This morning, South Bend Fire showed minimal activity. There were some areas holding some heat that were identified by an IR flight and were communicated to the incident commander,” TAMFS wrote Sunday. “Resources focused on addressing those heat sources and other areas of concern, in preparation to the forecasted afternoon weather. During the afternoon, minimal smokes were spotted due to the increase surface temperature. The strike team of engines continued to patrol and evaluated control lines, to ensure that they were not threatened by the weather.”

The update stated all control lines were secured and cold and the fire was turned over to the local incident commander. The South Bend Fire was only four days after the 38-acre Three Acres Fire started 4.5 miles northeast of Eliasville which TAMFS also responded to with area units.

TAMFS stated Sunday in a press release that above normal fire activity is expected to continue through the summer with hot temperatures and dry conditions persisting. The department stated Sunday that since Jan. 1, the department has responded to 1,240 wildfires which have burned 497,373 acres across the state.