- Clarendon fireman Ryan Hill sprays a hot spot last Thursday as part of the effort to extinguish a blaze north of Hedley off FM 2944. Enterprise Photo / Kari Lindsey
A wildfire north of Hedley consumed more than 300 acres last Thursday and Saturday, highlighting the need for caution as drought conditions continue.
Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Powell said people need to be extremely careful and also said last week’s blaze threatened three structures – two barns and one house.
The fire began after 5 p.m. last Thursday, May 19, near FM 2944 and State Hwy. 203, and Powell said wind knocking a power line into tree limbs is believed to have started the blaze.
Hedley and Clarendon volunteer firemen worked until after midnight to get the blaze under control but not before it burned about 40 acres.
The fire re-ignited Saturday before noon and was brought back under control at about 2:30, but it caught fire again about 4 p.m. and jumped FM 2944 and burned northeast toward County Road 32.
Hedley fireman Leon Ward said the wind blew the fire through thick brush making it hard to get to with fire trucks and other equipment.
Assistance was called in from neighboring fire departments as well as from state and federal resources, and the fire was extinguished after 11 p.m.
The following fire departments helped with the fire on Saturday: Hedley, Clarendon, Briscoe, Wellington, Kelton, Allison, Wheeler, Mobeetie, and Samnorwood.
Also helping were Donley County maintainers and the US and Texas forest services. Air tankers and a helicoper were brought in to assist the local effort, Powell said.
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