Storage Fire near Possum Kingdom Lake now 90% contained
PALO PINTO COUNTY (CBSNewsTexas.com) – As of Sunday evening, firefighters contained 90% of the blaze in Palo Pinto County that prompted Governor Greg Abbott to direct the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy state firefighting resources to support local crews.
Thanks to better weather conditions, firefighters have made significant progress in containing the Storage Fire and making sure it doesn't spread beyond the 950 acres already burned. Texas A&M Forest Service said the decrease in acreage, from 1,000 to 950, was due to "more accurate mapping."
County officials ended the mandatory evacuation order Friday evening for Hell's Gate and Gaines Bend. But Texas A&M Forest Service advised residents to still be cautious and avoid the area if possible.
The edges of the Hell's Gate neighborhood were all painted pink from the retardant dropped by tankers Thursday. CBS News Texas saw some properties where the fire burned right up to the driveway, but never reached the home.
One couple, who decided to not evacuate after losing everything in the 2011 fire, said they hosed everything down Thursday evening. Possum Kingdom Lake residents Carol and Wayne Cashion were determined to not lose their home again.
"He said, 'Put the truck key in your pocket. If you get scared, leave,'" Carol said, while pointing to Wayne. "'But I'm staying and I'll jump in the lake if I have to.' And I didn't leave."
Wayne added, "There's plenty of boats out there in the cove, and I can swim. I figure I can get out of here one way or the other."
At the Governor's direction, TDEM deployed the following resources in support of wildfire response operations:
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Over 15 personnel, an air attack platform, and heavy equipment such as bulldozers; two Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams comprised of approximately 30 firefighters, 10 fire engines, and a water tender
- Texas Division of Emergency Management: Emergency Response personnel to support local requests for assistance
- Texas Department of Transportation: Emergency Response personnel to support local requests for assistance
- Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Wildland Fire Support Packages including paramedics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
- Texas National Guard: Blackhawks with fire-suppression capability and 15 personnel
As of Friday morning, the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level was still at Preparedness Level 2 due to fuel and weather conditions, current and expected wildfire activity, regional preparedness levels, and fire-suppression resource availability in the state.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, areas with dry grass may increase potential wildfire activity due to accidental ignitions from fireworks during the holiday weekend or other activities that cause a spark.
