Multiple wildfires break out over weekend

Several days of dry weather and hot temperatures led to several fires across Young and Palo Pinto Counties over the weekend. Following a week of temperatures in the mid 100s as well as strong winds Sunday evening, crews battled fires across northern Young County and in Palo Pinto County.

A wildfire broke out along Turkey Creek in Palo Pinto County on Friday and Saturday. At 5:10 p.m. on Friday, crews were called to a location along TX 254, approximately 12 miles north of Graford. Ground crews worked to construct containment lines around the fire. Aerial firefighting resources include an Air Attack platform, one Type 1 Helicopter, and three single engine air tankers (SEATs). The fire flared up again and was battled into Saturday evening, the flare up required the use of one Type 1 Helicopter, and three SEATs. As of Sunday evening, the fire was contained at 95%. The cause of the fire is still under investigation according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

At 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, the Young County Fire Department responded to a grass fire near FM578 and Murray Circle Road. According to Steve Reger of the YCFD, high winds knocked over power lines to start the fire. Crews were cleared from the scene at 11:04 p.m.Another fire started, this time on Cottonwood Cemetery Road. Crews were diverted to the scene at 8:01 p.m. The fire was cleared at 8:56 p.m. according to the Young County blotter. At 9:42 p.m., county crews were called to Murray Cemetery Road where lightning from a storm that went through the area caused a grass fire.

For the rest of the story, see the Aug. 19 edition of The Graham Leader.