Breckenridge Texan

By Tony Pilkington and Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

The Breckenridge Fire Department, assisted by several other area fire departments, battled a wildfire in northeast Stephens County late Friday night and into the early morning hours today, Sept. 9.

Dubbed the Cedar Creek Fire by the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire is 25% contained, Stephens County Judge Michael Roach said a few minutes before noon today. Earlier this morning, the Forest Service listed the fire as having burned 50 acres, but once they got a better look at the area, they determined it has burned substantially more than that, Roach said. The Forest Service is working to determine a better estimate of the damage, so far, he explained. A few minutes after noon, the Forest Service updated their listing for the fire to show 100 acres burned.

A wildfire that started last Friday night in northeastern Stephens County is about 25 percent contained at about noon Saturday. Photo from Friday night. (Photo Courtesy of Stephens County)

“Right now we’ve got dozers, the Forestry Service is here and a strike team is on its way with a helicopter,” Roach said. “It’s 25% contained, and we’ll get the acreage updated in a little bit. But things are headed in the right direction, as far as getting a hold on this thing.”

Roach said the fire started shortly before 10 p.m. Friday in the area off of Park Road 33 near the FM 3253 intersection. The fire was originally mostly east of FM 3253, west/north of Park Road 33, and south of FM 1148.

“They were really trying to keep it from jumping the road, because if it had got in that dense woods last night, the way that wind was blowing, it would have been a different story,” Roach said. “They made a stand right there and kept that fire from jumping the road. And it did jump the road at least once and they quickly put it out. They drew some units on it and poured everything they had on it and got it put out.”

Roach said some structures were burned in the fire, including some deer camps and trailers, but he wasn’t sure of the extent of the damage caused by the fire. Residents in a large area were notified by the Code Red system that they needed to be prepared to evacuate if the fire got out of hand. It wasn’t an evacuation notice but just a warning to alert everyone to the possible danger, he said.

“Thankfully, once that storm blew through, the wind let up,” Roach said. “Actually, it changed directions three times. Initially, it was blowing toward the east, and then it started going west. And then it changed to the winds blowing from the southeast a little bit.”

The Breckenridge Fire Department, Caddo Volunteer Fire Department, Wayland VFD, Hubbard Creek VFD, Eliasville-South Bend VFD, as well as fire departments from Young and Palo Pinto counties have been involved in fighting the fire. At this time, the Forest Service is in charge of the firefighting. Additionally, other emergency responders, including the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, assisted in the situation.

The Cedar Creek Fire in northeastern Stephens County has burned at least 100 acres and is about 25 percent contained. This photo from this morning shows some of the damage. (Photo courtesy of Stephens County)

The wildfire, which started near Park Road 33, was fought overnight by local firefighters. The Texas A&M Forest Service arrived on the scene this morning to help. (Photo courtesy of Stephens County)

Cutline, top photo: Firefighters from three counties, including the Breckenridge Fire Department and the Stephens County volunteer fire departments, were on the scene all night long, battling a wildfire off of Park Road 33 and FM 3253 in northeastern Stephens County. The Texas A&M Forest Service is on the scene and is now in charge of the firefighting, Stephens County Judge Michael Roach said. (Photo courtesy of Stephens County)