BFD fights to contain FM 701 grass fire

Breckenridge Fire Department, along with volunteer fire departments from Hubbard Creek, Wayland and Eliasville, responded to a large grass fire Friday on FM 701, north of Breckenridge. The fire was still being contained as of Sunday, according to BFD.

The departments were fighting the fire since 2:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, which was estimated to be 150-200 acres in size. Farm to Market 701 was shut down due to the fire overcoming the road and jumping to the opposite side. The fire departments had heavy machinery set up Friday to create a fireguard for containment. Stephens County Judge Michael Roach, through the county emergency management department, was supplying food and drinks for all firefighters on scene.

Young County joined Stephens on Friday when a 509-acre wildfire broke out on Judges Road, near Newcastle. The fire was contained as of Saturday as first responders and volunteers worked for over 10 hours stopping the spread in Young County. Around the state Friday, wildfires also broke out in Moore, Clay, Jones, Shackelford, Wichita and Wilbarger counties, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

As of Monday morning, wildfires around the state were becoming above 98% contained. The Arrowhead fire in Clay County, which covered an estimated 6,300 acres, was 100% contained. The Twin Creek fire in Moore County, which covered an estimated 3,607 acres, was 98% contained and still active. The County Line fire in Wilbarger County, which covered an estimated 1,150 acres, was 100% contained. The Lazy J Town fire in Wichita County, which covered at estimated 1,150 acres, was 100% contained. The Live fire in Jones County, which covered an estimated 890 acres, was 100% contained. The Little Stasney fire in Shackelford County, which covered an estimated 190 acres, was 100% contained.

“Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) and local firefighters took advantage of favorable weather conditions, including diminished winds, to increase containment on several burning wildfires,” Texas A&M Forest Service wrote Saturday regarding the Texas fires. “Crews worked throughout the day to ensure that containment lines were secure as elevated conditions and increased fire potential returns to the forecast tomorrow.”

For the full story, click here to subscribe or log in to read the Wednesday, Dec. 15 edition of the Breckenridge American.