Archives for April 2023

A combination of above-normal temperatures, low humidity, dry fuel and strong winds set the stage for extreme fire conditions across large portions of the state early this week.

As the Enterprise went to press Tuesday, conditions capable of producing large fires were expected across the Western Plains, including the Panhandle region.

On Tuesday, extreme fire weather was forecast in the Texas Panhandle with relative humidity values in the single digits and 40 mph sustained winds with gusts exceeding 60 mph.

“We have critically dry fuels, complex terrain and higher temperatures in the forecast for that area,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “These are prime fire conditions, and we’ve staged personnel and equipment in the area to facilitate an immediate response to requests for assistance.”

The conditions could lead to a dangerous fire weather phenomena known as a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak, or SPWO. Wildfires that ignite during SPWO events exhibit extreme fire behavior and rapid growth and are difficult to control.

Since 2005, SPWO fires have accounted for three percent of reported wildfires but nearly half of the acres burned.

Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to mobilize wildfire resources to support local officials in preparation for wildfire potential in the Panhandle, Southern Plains, Permian Basin and West Texas. Texas A&M Forest Service staged three Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams comprised of approximately 50 firefighters and 15 fire engines, seven single engine air tankers, two air attack platforms and heavy equipment such as bulldozers.

On Friday, Governor Abbott called for an additional TIFMAS strike team of 15 firefighters and five fire engines for wildfire response.

For current fire conditions, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/CurrentSituation/.

The Broncos stomped the Wellington Skyrockets 10-1 at home last week behind the pitching of Easton Frausto and Tyler Harper.

It was Frausto who earned the win in six innings with nine strikeouts. He allowed only two hits and Wellington’s only run of the game during his time on the mound. Harper came up in relief to throw one inning and posted two strikeouts.

Offensively, not only were the Broncos’ bats hot with 11 total team hits, their base running was unstoppable with 16 stolen bases. Frausto racked up four, while Jared Musick and Lyric Smith posted three each. Harrison Howard and Wilson Ward had two each, and Mason Sims and Harper helped with one apiece. The Broncos posted one run in the first, second, third, and fifth and marked three runs in the fourth and sixth. Their last at-bat was not needed.

Despite allowing the Claude Mustangs four runs, the Broncos won big at 18-4 in Claude March 31. Three runs were scored in the first inning off of Smith’s double in his opening turn at the plate. Strong hitting in the first inning gave the Broncos a big lead and set the pace for the following innings. Harper, Musick, Sims, Frausto, and Howard came through with heavy-duty bats in the game that resulted in 11 hits. The Broncos also used their speed to record 11 stolen bases. The third was the only inning the Broncos did not make a change on the scoreboard.

Howard was on the mound for two innings and only allowed one hit and two runs while striking out three. Harper came in for the next two innings and allowed four hits, two runs, and two strike-outs. Levi Gates took over in the fifth and posted two hits and one strike-out.

The Broncos will play Naz at home on April 6 at 4:00 p.m. and the Broncos will travel to Shamrock April 11.

A Clarendon woman is facing a third-degree felony charge for injury to a child following a grand jury indictment on March 21.

Taylor Danielle Schwertner, age 26, was arrested and booked into the Donley County Jail last Thursday, March 30, after she turned herself in on a warrant. She was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Sarah Hatley with bond set at $10,000.

Schwertner posted bond and was released Friday evening, according to Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn.

“It’s sad, but we work this type of case fairly often, at least once a year,” the sheriff said.
Blackburn said his office began investigating this case September 18 and finished and turned it over the district attorney’s office in early October.