Monday, April 29, 2024
Chalk Mountain Fire
Useful information can be found here, for both victims of the ongoing Chalk Mountain Fire in northern Somervell County, as well as for those who want to help with either monetary donations or supplies:
DONATIONS, ASSISTANCE
The Somervell County Sheriff’s Office, at 750 Bo Gibbs Boulevard in Glen Rose, is a drop-off point for anyone donating supplies and/or monetary-only donations.
Erath County Emergency Management Coordinator Cindy Smith, who is currently acting public information officer for Somervell County, said that direct deposit monetary donations to help fire victims can be made during regular business hours at First Financial Bank, at 400 N.E. Big Bend Trail in Glen Rose.
Somervell County has set up a reception center at the Somervell County Expo Center for any evacuees who need shelter.
A Facebook post stated, “Please check in with Red Cross at the Expo circle drive for any displaced residents.”
ANIMALS
Butler Feeds, at 1310 N.W. Big Bend Trail in Glen Rose, is a hub for organizing and handling the relocation of many large animals — horses and cattle. The feed store’s number is 254-897-2696. Donations of either cattle cubes or hay can be brought to the feed store.
Brenda Ransom, co-manager of Butler Feeds, told the HCN that the store owner — her son, Bodie Butler — along with Gerry Byrn of Diamond Cross Rodeo Co., have been hauling cattle and horses out of the fire danger areas. She said that more than 300 head of cattle have been dispersed to various locations in the area. Horses rescued from the danger areas have been taken to the Somervell County Expo Center, at 202 Bo Gibbs Boulevard in Glen Rose.
MaKayla Allmon, manager of the Somervell County Expo Center, said on Tuesday afternoon that there are “still plenty of stalls left” for residents to leave their horses until the danger is over. Approximately 85 stalls were occupied as of Tuesday, and about 200 were still available.
Allmon can be reached to answer questions about using the stalls during the crisis by calling 254-436-8011. Donations of either horse or cattle feed can be brought to the Expo Center, Allmon said.
ELECTRICAL POWER
According to VP/Media and Community Relations Mauri Montgomery of United Cooperative Services, 45 electrical poles were down in Somervell County as of mid-day Tuesday because of the fire damage.
“Collectively, approximately 50 workers consisting of United employees and contracting crews are addressing restoration efforts that are expected to continue through tonight and tomorrow. Restoration efforts have been hampered some by extremely rocky terrain and hot spots that still haven’t been cleared for access.”
He added, “Currently, we have only 86 members who are without power. We still don’t have any information from the forestry service about how many structures have been impacted.”
As for the impact on United Cooperative electrical customers in southern Hood County, Montgomery stated in his email, “We’ve probably had some in Hood Co. that were indirectly affected after we turned off line switches on circuits that had been burned. I don’t know what that number might be (not many I don’t think). It’s my understanding that most members who were caught in the middle of it reside in Somervell.”
