Local firefighters battling blaze in southern Stephens County
The Breckenridge Fire Department, accompanied by the Hubbard Creek, Wayland, and Caddo volunteer fire departments, as well as the Texas A&M Forest Service and other emergency responders, are on the scene of a large grass fire in the southwest part of Stephens County and some parts of northern Eastland County tonight, Thursday, June 28.
BFD Fire Chief Calvin Chaney posted a report on Facebook earlier this evening and said that the fire is extremely aggressive. It was originally located in the County Road 187 vicinity. Stephens County Sheriff Will Holt said the fire was approaching County Road 190 from the south.
Chaney said that to his knowledge no structures have been burned. “As long as we keep it on the south side of County Road 190, we’ll be better,” he said, regarding structures.
Both officials requested everyone to stay away from the area so that the firefighters can battle the blaze.
Chaney said the fire has burned an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 acres, as of about 7:45 p.m. The Texas Forest Service called in airplanes, helicopters and bulldozers to assist.
“They’re going to work ’round the clock,” Chaney said. “It’s a major undertaking; we’ve got a lot of people working it.”
The Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce has posted on Facebook that Gunsight Baptist Church will be open soon and will accept donations of food, water and/or Gatorade that they will deliver to the firefighters.
Chaney posted the following video of a plane dropping fire retardant on the fire so that bulldozers could advance into the area to help stop the fire.
Story by Tony Pilkington and Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
Cutline, top photo: Smoke from the fire in southwest Stephens County billows above Hubbard Creek Lake Thursday evening, June 28. Smoke from the fire could be seen from as far away as just outside of Abilene. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
