Local firemen battle several July wildfires

Five wildfires in and around Donley County have burned more than 800 acres since July 9, with the biggest fire consuming 475 acres south of Hedley.

Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department First Assistant Chief Jeremy Powell says eight city units responded to the big fire on the Finch Ranch and Quail Trail Ranch on July 13, and firemen were on the scene from 2:06 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Hedley responded with three units, and assistance also came from Wellington, Memphis, and Samnorwood.

Donley County Precincts #1, #3, and #4 sent motor graders, and TxDOT responded with
three motor graders and three dozers. The Texas and US forest services responded with Task Force 16 based out of Childress consisting of two dozers and two engines. Air Attack out of Amarillo responded and directed two SEATS (Single Engine Air Tankers) that were based out of the Childress Airport.

Clarendon EMS assisted with firefighter rehab, and the Donley County Sheriff’s Office and Constable Doug Wright assisted with traffic and incoming mutual aid units.

Powell said the grass fire was started by a lightning storm that occurred on July 11 and 12. The Finch Ranch headquarters was threatened by this fire. Clarendon firemen while on the scene also responded to a second fire caused by lightning on the Finch Ranch, which was still smoldering.

The Clarendon Firebelles handled food and drinks for all involved. Several local ranchers also assisted with this fire.

“The Clarendon Fire Department greatly appreciates and relies on the help and support of the public and is accepting donations of bottled drinking water and Gatorade which may be dropped off at Clarendon City Hall or given to any of our members,” Powell said.

“Financial support is always greatly appreciated as well as the cost of these recent fires has been estimated at $14,489 for Clarendon VFD alone which includes supplies and operating cost of our fire trucks,” he said.

Powell said his department also asks the public to remember the Hedley and Howardwick departments as well as our neighboring departments that support them whenever they need help.

Earlier in the month, the Clarendon VFD was dispatched to a fire on Tim Merrill’s property on FM 2162 on July 9. Firemen were dispatched at 4:10 p.m. and were on the scene until 9:30 p.m. The grass fire started by lightning and burned approximately 40 acres. Several home and outbuildings were threatened but not damaged. Clarendon VFD responded with eight units assisted by Donley County Precincts #1 and #4 motor graders. The Associated Ambulance Authority, Donley County Sheriff’s Office and Texas DPS also assisted.

Also on July 9, the department was dispatched at 9:30 p.m. to County Road UU in Briscoe County to assist the Silverton Fire Department with a grass fire started by lightning which burned approximately 150 acres. One home and several outbuildings were threatened. Clarendon responded to the mutual aid call with five units and were on the scene until midnight, and Memphis and Turkey also assisted.

Another grass fire on July 11 along CR E and SH 273 south of McLean was also started by lightning and burned approximately 125 acres. Clarendon responded with five units and was assisted by Hedley and McLean. Volunteer firemen were dispatched at 7:10 p.m. and were on scene until midnight.

In the early morning hours of July 12, Clarendon volunteer firemen were called to CR P and CR 12, just east of Sawyer Hay Farms and the Greenbelt Water Authority Filter Plant where a grass fire had been started by lightning. Approximately 55 acres burned, and firemen were dispatched at 2:38 a.m. and were on scene until 6 a.m.

Clarendon responded with seven units and was assisted by Howardwick and Donley County Precincts #1 and #4 motor graders and one TxDOT motor grader. This fire threatened the Greenbelt Water Authority facilities on State Hwy 70.

“The fire department received multiple more calls of lightning fires during this fire but thankfully they were put out by rain,” Powell reported.

Citizens are still urged to remain very vigilant when it comes to preventing wildfires. Donley County, and indeed most of the state, remains under a burn ban as hot, dry conditions persist.