Monday, April 29, 2024
Truck burned
Although the Chalk Mountain Fire is still raging — now having burned just under 7,000 acres and destroying 16 residences since Monday in northern Somervell County, and a small portion of southern Hood County — officials were able to report some positive signs Thursday afternoon.
The fire is now between 19 and 20% contained, according to Somervell County Judge Danny Chambers. The fire risk factors of wind and low humidity turned more in favor of the firefighters on Thursday, July 21. The humidity was up from what it had been earlier in the week, and the wind speed generally was lower.
Officials are still reporting that there have been no deaths or major injuries associated with the Chalk Mountain Fire. Although some firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion, with the daytime temperatures remaining over 100 degrees, but only one had an injury — a minor burn — that was treated.
Chambers said that the latest information he had was that in addition to the 16 houses lost to the fire, five others sustained damage. An unknown number of outbuildings were also destroyed or damaged. He said he had heard of only two head of cattle being reported found dead so far, noting that personnel with a Texas AgriLife group were able to swoop in and help rescue “many others,” along with some local residents who volunteered to help.
Chambers was cautiously optimistic when asked about the prospect of making more progress against the fire over the next few days. As for the donations that poured in, the judge said that they are now “doing really well,” and there were no glaring needs that have not been met.
“It has been such an outpouring,” Chambers said. “It’s unbelievable.”
HEROIC SAVES
Officials shared two stories featuring law enforcement officers who helped save individuals from imminent danger. Both of those incidents occurred on Monday, July 18, not far from where the fire originate near the base of Chalk Mountain.
Somervell County Chief Deputy Dwayne Griffin told the Hood County News that local DPS Trooper Clint Beatty was able to help a female resident, who is in her mid-80s, get to safety while knocking on doors to alert those in the area that the flames were approaching. As the fire was starting to burn through trees near her home, Beatty assisted the woman — who had been unaware of the fire — and drove her to safety. The fire advanced, and her home was a total loss.
The other heroic story, which has since been posted on the Somervell County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, involved local Deputy Greg Sharp performing a life-saving rescue of a man during Monday’s evacuation efforts as officials were doing their door-to-door to check on the residents who were in harm’s way.
That SCSO Facebook post, in part, states that “a private citizen was assisting in efforts to extinguish the fire with his privately owned military style fire apparatus. The apparatus and individual operating it became overtaken by the fire. The individual had to abandon his fire unit but was saved by Officer Greg Sharp who had been notifying people ahead of the approaching fire.
“The man was able to get into the vehicle with Officer Sharp. Officer Sharp’s vehicle then became overcome by flames. With the privately owned fire apparatus now engulfed in flames, Officer Sharp had to turn around and exit the flames. After safely exiting the fire, it was discovered that Officer Sharp's patrol vehicle had been damaged by the fire but was still operable. Both Officer Sharp and the man operating his fire apparatus sustained only minor injuries.
“These two vehicles are the only units that have been damaged during this ongoing emergency. The privately owned fire apparatus was a total loss to the fire. Officer Sharp continues his duties in his slightly ‘toasted marshmallow.’
“We appreciate the citizens’ concerns over the safety of all first responders as we continue to make way in putting out this fire. Our hearts go out to all who have lost property during this tragic event. We are very thankful we have had no loss of life and we firmly believe this was in great part due to the actions of the first responders who first arrived on-scene.”
