Wildfires Continue To Burn In Palo Pinto
PALO PINTO COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM)- Two wildfires continue to burn near the same area that was hit by one of the worst wildfires in state history last year.
Two large fires are burning within 30 miles of each other in Palo Pinto County, west of Fort Worth. The Rhodes Ranch II fire has burned 1,700 acres so far and is now 50% contained according to Mark Engebretson, the spokesperson for the Possum Kingdom Volunteer Fire Department. The Dark Valley fire has burned 1745 acres and is at 50% containment. Fifteen homes are now threatened by the Dark Valley fire but evacuations have not been ordered.
Both fires are said to be slow moving, but their rural locations have made them difficult to fight. Rough terrain, and thick, dry brush have it difficult for firefighters to reach burning areas. Fire crews must wait on one of 8 dozers to clear the brush and remove rocks and other debris before they can make their way to the fires, which are both in areas far from roads.
"Its been difficult in some areas but the dozers really helped today," said James Huddleston, a firefighter with the Central Community Volunteer Fire Department. "They've cut some dozer lines so we could get back in there. Without them some of this would not be possible to get to."
Two helicopters have been ordered in to help fight the fires Sunday.
The mild weather and calm winds helped firefighters contain the fires.
Weather reports say winds will pick up Sunday.
