Wildfire in southeast Stephens County contained; burn ban in effect as fire risk remains high
By Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan
A wildfire that broke out Saturday in southeast Stephens County near the Eastland County line burned 16 acres before being contained, as officials warned that dangerous fire conditions persist across the county and much of North Central Texas.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service website, the fire, known as the Caddo Creek fire, was 100 percent contained as of Sunday, Jan. 18.
Bulletins from the Texas Division of Emergency Management State Operations Center, forwarded by Stephens County Emergency Management Coordinator David Leonard, reported that assistance from the Texas A&M Forest Service was requested to fight the fire. Responding agencies included the Hubbard Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Wayland VFD, Caddo Texas VFD, Breckenridge Fire Department, and the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The initial SOC bulletin was issued at 8:37 p.m. Saturday and reported, “The fire has burned approximately five acres and is not contained. The fire is burning through thick juniper with areas of access issues.”
A final SOC bulletin, issued at 8:11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, reported, “The fire burned 16 acres and is contained. All fire resources have cleared the fireground.”
Stephens County remains under a countywide burn ban. During an update at the Stephens County Commissioners Court meeting on Monday, Breckenridge Fire Chief Malcolm Bufkin, who also serves as the county’s fire marshal, told commissioners that fire danger conditions in the area have not improved and he recommended keeping the ban in place. Commissioners agreed and left the ban in effect.
Also, early Sunday morning, the National Weather Service issued a Grass Fire Danger Statement for Stephens County and 17 other counties, warning of elevated fire risk.
“Warmer temperatures return to the area today, but dry air and breezy winds will remain in place,” the statement said. “The fire threat will become elevated west of I-35 today, where (relative humidity) values will fall to around 15% with west/southwest winds of 10-20 mph. Dry and dormant vegetation will also contribute to quick wildfire growth and spread.”
The statement urged residents to use caution, saying, “Extreme care is urged during all outside activities where there is a potential for grass fires to get started. Avoid outside burning and welding. Do not toss lit cigarette butts outside. Report wildfires to the nearest fire department or law enforcement office quickly.”
Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge Texan Fire Chief Malcolm Bufkin, right, who also serves as the Stephens County Fire Marshal, waits to update county commissioners on the fire risk in Stephens County during Monday’s County Commissioner Court meeting. He told commissioners that conditions had not improved and recommended leaving the county-wide fire ban in place. (Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
