Thursday, April 25, 2024
This Cresson Volunteer Fire Department brush truck became immobile Wednesday afternoon as firefighters were battling the Colony Fire. The occupants had to abandon the truck because of the approaching flames and thick smoke, and the damage eventually made it a total loss.
The latest information available on the Hood County Colony Fire, between Granbury and Tolar, is that it was 65 percent contained as of Friday, Aug. 5.
The Texas Forest Service website also shows that approximately 467 acres had burned. Hood County Emergency Management Coordinator Jay Webster stated earlier Friday that the fire, which is within land on the Double T Ranch, has not destroyed or damaged any residences or other structures, and so far there have been no reports of cattle killed as a result of the flames.
A note on the Hood County website earlier Friday states: "At this time all road closures have been lifted. There are no evacuations at this time."
That post also adds the following information: "Smoke will continue to be seen in the area as pockets of heat inside the lines continue to burn. These pockets don't present a threat to the line and will continue to smolder until they are burned up. Resources will secure all edges of the fire before they release the incident. Smokes may still rise in the area and residents should not be alarmed unless they see a new smoke in a different area, this ensures resources are available for new fire starts."
All nine of Hood County's volunteer fire departments responded to the Colony Fire on Wednesday, along with personnel and air support from the Texas Forest Service. Firefighters from Erath County also assisted.
One firefighter, a member of the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department, suffered minor burn injuries on Wednesday (Aug. 3) and was flown by medical helicopter to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, which has a top-flight burn treatment facility. Cresson VFD Fire Chief Ron Becker told the HCN that the firefighter, who is under 20 years old, sustained a small burn on one of his forearms, as well as some burns on his ears, and was released to go home later that evening. Becker chose not to release the name of the injured firefighter.
Two other firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion at the scene of the fire, officials said.
Becker said that the injured firefighter had been one of three personnel in a brush truck that evidently got stuck high-center on some rocks and was immobilized. That brush truck, amid thicker smoke at that point, had to be abandoned as the wind was shifting and the flames drew closer. The brush truck was considered a total loss, according to Becker.
Becker said that, “The injuries were very minor, nothing serious,” over a small area, and would be considered second-degree burns.
Having the burned firefighter flown to Parkland’s burn treatment center was an indicator that precaution was used to insure that he received the proper care.
“We were thrilled he wasn’t more seriously injured. We’re very fortunate that our guys have been trained and they understand the risks,” Becker said. “They make good decisions. They know what they’re doing.”
