Wildfire burns dozens of acres on Highway 67; local firefighters, Forest Service on scene
UPDATE: A little after 9 p.m. tonight, Monday, Aug. 10, the Texas A&M Forest Service updated the Incident Viewer to show that the Bufford Creek Fire, burning in northeast Stephens County, has burned 1,500 acres and is 25% contained. Due to the winds from the south/southeast, the fire has been moving mostly to the north.
By Carla McKeown and Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan
Multiple fire units are on the scene of a wildfire along the west side of State Highway 67, about five miles north of U.S. Highway 180, this afternoon, Monday, Aug. 10.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer indicates the fire is being called the Bufford Creek Fire and that it has burned 300 acres and is 0% contained as of 4:23 p.m. this afternoon.
When the Breckenridge Texan was at the fire about 2 p.m., there were several burned spots along the side of the highway, and the fire was burning up into the brush on ranchland.
The Breckenridge Fire Department is fighting the fire with firefighters from Hubbard Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Wayland VFD, Caddo VFD and Eliasville VFD, as well as several volunteer fire departments from Young and Palo Pinto counties. The Texas Forest Service has been contacted and is en route to assist with dozers and aircraft, according to various reports. Additionally, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and the Stephens County Constable are assisting.
At around 4:45 p.m., Stephens County Judge Will Thompson issued the following statement on the county’s Facebook page:
“Pursuant to Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, I am hereby declaring a local state of disaster for Stephens County due to imminent threat from wildfire. This declaration activates the county’s emergency management plan, authorizes you to invoke mutual aid agreements and request assistance from other jurisdictions and the state, and gives you authority under § 418.108(f)-(g) to control ingress/egress in the disaster area and, if needed, order evacuations.
“Residents in the area north and west of the Highway 67 corridor should remain alert, monitor your phone, HyperReach, and local media outlets. Be prepared to evacuate if directed by emergency personnel. Please avoid the area to keep roadways clear for responding units.
“Further updates will be issued as conditions develop.”
At about 10:30 p.m. Monday, Aug, 10, the winds have died down to about 6 miles per hour from the southeast. Earlier, the winds were steady at 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesday’s forecast is for continued hot weather with a high around 100 degrees and south winds of 5-10 mph, but Tuesday night, the winds might pick up again with 20 mph gusts expected again.
Cutline, top photo: Firefighters from the Breckenridge Fire Department and the Hubbard Creek Volunteer Fire Department fight a wildfire on State Highway 67, northeast of Breckenridge, on Monday afternoon, Aug. 10. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Editor’s Note: This article was updated at 10:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, with updates throughout.
