2011 Texas wildfires
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Texas wildfires are an ongoing series of destructive wildfire
s in Texas
, United States
that have occurred in the 2011 fire season. Statistics on the fires have been recorded since the current fire season began November 15, 2010. From the beginning of the fire season to October 31, around 27,976 fires had burned 3,959,040 acres (about double the previous record), 2,862 homes (1,939 of which were destroyed over the Labor Day
weekend), and over 2,700 other structures. 47.3% of all acreage burned in the United States in 2011 was burned in Texas. The fires have been particularly severe due to the ongoing 2011 Southern US drought
covering the state, and exacerbating the problem is rapid desertification
, the unusual convergence of strong winds, unseasonably warm temperatures, and low humidity.
Firefighters from more than forty-three states have been involved in the operation to combat the fires. Two firefighters were killed. Eastland
volunteer firefighter Gregory M. Simmons, 51, died April 15 while battling a 3000 acres (12.1 km²) blaze Friday afternoon near Eastland. Cactus
volunteer firefighter Elias Jaquez died April 20 from injuries sustained while fighting a blaze April 9 in Moore County.
On Sunday, September 4, 2011, a firestorm known as the Bastrop County Complex Fire
engulfed Bastrop, Texas
and by September 30 had destroyed 1,645 homes, burned 34,068 acres, and killed two people. This fire is now regarded as the most catastrophic wildfire in Texas history.
Texas Governor Rick Perry
declared a State of Disaster starting on December 21, 2010 and renewed the proclamation every month. On April 16, 2011 Perry asked that President Barack Obama
declare 252 of 254 Texas counties as disaster areas due to wildfires and wildfire danger; the request was partially approved on July 1, 2011. Critics of the governor's relief efforts point to his budget cuts to the Texas Forest Service
which provides a first line of defense against wildfires.
weather pattern that began in the summer of 2010 brought widespread drought to Texas. The percentage of exceptional drought in the state was the highest since the United States Drought Monitor began tracking the data in 2000. A pattern of troughs from the Pacific Northwest
brought strong winds over the plains
. These weather conditions coupled with an above normal grass fuel loading created conditions for an active fire season.
, a series of wildfires flared up over Labor Day weekend and continued into the following week. The largest and most destructive was what is now known as the Bastrop County Complex
. At approximately 3:00 p.m. (CDT) on September 4, two fires started north of Bastrop State Park
in the communities of Circle D-KC Estates and Taihitan Village. The likely cause of the blaze was sparks from electric power lines. 30 mph gusts of wind apparently toppled trees which tumbled into electrical lines at two locations, creating sparks that fell onto and ignited the dry grass and leaf litter below. The fire was exacerbated by the outflow of Tropical Storm Lee in conjunction with exceptional drought. The fire quickly spread, engulfing 400 homes. Multiple areas and locales were evacuated, including the Bastrop Animal Shelter
, Bastrop State Park (more than half of which was burned), and other communities affected by the fire. By 7:30 PM on September 5, 2011, the fire had burned about 25,000 acres and 500 homes. Winds began to calm the evening of September 5, but the fire still had no containment by the evening of September 6. By September 11, 1,554 homes had been destroyed. By October 1, the fire had reached 98% containment but had burned a total of 34,068 acres and 1,645 homes, making it the most destructive fire in Texas history. At 8:00 PM on October 10, the fire was declared 100% contained.
was evacuated. On April 15, the wind shifted and pushed the fire toward Camp Springs in Scurry County, where the fire destroyed four homes. In total, 162625 acres (658.1 km²) burned.
Another fire originally started in Anderson County but moved into Houston County near the Percilla Community. This fire was apparently caused by a downed power line.
, 30 miles (48.3 km) southwest of Ozona
burned 175000 acres (708.2 km²). The fire started on April 25 and the cause is unknown. The fire was controlled on May 10.
in Caldwell County
. The next day, 6 homes were burned, including 1000 acres (4 km²).
. It started from a lightning
strike during a thunderstorm
. The fire consumed over 12000 acres (48.6 km²) but destroyed no buildings.
The 5,000 acre ranch had already lost approximately 1,000 acres to fire on September 4th and 5th. 350 acres had burned previously in a wildfire on August 21st 2010.
, Texas
. 189 homes in the surrounding area were immediately evacuated. The fire burned 30 acres in total and raced through a mobile-home neighborhood, destroying 15 homes and multiple vehicles. Since it broke out on Horseshoe Drive, it is known as the Horseshoe Fire. This was the first of two destructive fires Leander experienced within three weeks, the second being the Moonglow Fire.
about 25 miles (40.2 km) east of Alpine
eventually getting to within 10 miles (16.1 km) of the town. The fire burned over 89400 acres (361.8 km²).
. Police declared the cause to be arson. The fire destroyed 11 homes and damaged nine. The Moonglow fire was the second destructive wildfire Leander had experienced within three weeks, leading the Leander City Council to declare the city a disaster area shortly thereafter.
. Fanned by strong winds, the fire quickly grew, forcing residents in a 3 miles (4.8 km) radius of the fire to evacuate the area. By the end of the day, the fire was estimated to have engulfed 400 acres (1.6 km²). The next day, the fire already destroyed 20 homes and moved across the Pedernales River
, continuing to burn in Hays County. Most of the fire moved to the west of the river, where it destroyed an additional 65 structures and engulfed a total of 6400 acres (25.9 km²). The fire also cut power
from 545 homes. However, the growing fire slowed down as it was quickly contained, and on September 7, the fire was completely contained. In total, 65 structures were destroyed, including 34 homes. The fire burned 6400 acres (25.9 km²) in total.
, Young
and Palo Pinto counties. The complex consists of the Possum Kingdom West Fire (90,000 acres), Possum Kingdom East Fire 11000 acres (44.5 km²), Hohertz Fire 40000 acres (161.9 km²) and Jackson Ranch Fire 7000 acres (28.3 km²). The fire destroyed 166 homes and two churches. 600 more homes were threatened. Possum Kingdom State Park
was closed on April 15. Ninety percent of the park was involved in the fire. 450 firefighters, three helitankers
and three helicopter
s fought the fire along a 270 miles (434.5 km) fire line.
On August 30, 2011, another outbreak of wildfires ravaged the Possum Kingdom Lake area, continuing well into September and destroying 39 homes by the time of containment.
and Waller counties. As of September 8, firefighters said the fire was just 30 percent contained.
. An electrical short in an abandoned building is believed to have started the fire. The fire burned more than 314444 acres (1,272.5 km²) across Presidio
and Jeff Davis
counties. The fire destroyed 24 homes and two businesses, and killed herds of cattle and 4 horses. On April 10, Davis Mountains State Park
was closed indefinitely due to the proximity of the fire. The park was used as a staging and camping area for firefighters for the duration of the fire. Texas State Highway 118 was also closed at several times during the fire.
. Two C-130 airplanes dispersed fire retardant chemicals. Police and EMS helicopters equipped with buckets dropped water on the blaze. The fire covered about 100 acre (0.404686 km²), destroyed 11 homes and damaged 10 others. Weathers was arrested and charged with arson.
in Brewster County and burned about 84000 acres (339.9 km²).
and burned 122500 acres (495.7 km²) in King, Knox
, and Stonewall counties but caused minimal structure damage. Two unoccupied houses were lost.
hours of June 20 about 8.5 mi (13.7 km) west of Blackwell, Texas
in Nolan County. Bulldozers, fire engines, and heavy tankers were sent to handle the fire. However, towards the end of the day, no containment of the fire was reported, and it had already destroyed 7 houses and had enlarged to a size greater than 20000 acre (80.9 km²). Soon, residents east of the community of Maryneal
would be evacuated. The next day, the fire continued to spread, reaching a size of 65000 acre (263 km²) and burning down an additional 5 structures. 100 firefighters were sent to battle the flames. On June 22, progress was made and the fire was 50% contained. Due to lower winds the next day, the fire decreased and became 70% contained, but it had already burned 70900 acre (286.9 km²) of land and charred 35 homes. The fire continued to decrease in size over the next days. On June 27, the fire was declared fully contained after burning 72473 acre (293.3 km²).
. The fire burned and caused evacuations in Grape Creek, a small community north of San Angelo. By April 16, the winds shifted and moved the fire towards Robert Lee
and forced evacuations along Farm to Market Road 2105 and Texas State Highway 208
. On April 17, Bronte was under a recommended evacuation, but expired the same day. By April 18, the fire burned an estimated 100000 acres (404.7 km²), with a 10% containment, then the same day a confirmed 30% containment was stated. On April 21, the fire was at 75% containment, after burning 159308 acres (644.7 km²), and 95% of one ranch.
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
s in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that have occurred in the 2011 fire season. Statistics on the fires have been recorded since the current fire season began November 15, 2010. From the beginning of the fire season to October 31, around 27,976 fires had burned 3,959,040 acres (about double the previous record), 2,862 homes (1,939 of which were destroyed over the Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend), and over 2,700 other structures. 47.3% of all acreage burned in the United States in 2011 was burned in Texas. The fires have been particularly severe due to the ongoing 2011 Southern US drought
2011 Southern US drought
The 2011 Southern US drought is a severe to extreme ongoing drought plaguing several US states which include Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The worst hit has been Texas, where near...
covering the state, and exacerbating the problem is rapid desertification
Desertification
Desertification is the degradation of land in drylands. Caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change and human activities, desertification is one of the most significant global environmental problems.-Definitions:...
, the unusual convergence of strong winds, unseasonably warm temperatures, and low humidity.
Firefighters from more than forty-three states have been involved in the operation to combat the fires. Two firefighters were killed. Eastland
Eastland, Texas
Eastland is a city in Eastland County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,769 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Eastland County.During the 1920s, Eastland, like nearby Cisco, Ranger, and Desdemona, were petroleum boomtowns....
volunteer firefighter Gregory M. Simmons, 51, died April 15 while battling a 3000 acres (12.1 km²) blaze Friday afternoon near Eastland. Cactus
Cactus, Texas
Cactus is a city in Moore County, Texas, United States, along U.S. Route 287. The population was 2,538 at the 2000 census."Cactus Texas", a song by Waylon Jennings, is a sketch of Cactus in more innocent days .-Geography:...
volunteer firefighter Elias Jaquez died April 20 from injuries sustained while fighting a blaze April 9 in Moore County.
On Sunday, September 4, 2011, a firestorm known as the Bastrop County Complex Fire
Bastrop County Complex fire
The Bastrop County Complex fire was a major wildfire that struck Bastrop County in the U.S. state of Texas in September 2011. The fire started on September 4, 2011, during Labor Day weekend, and burned east of the city of Bastrop. 1,645 homes were destroyed by the fire, making it the most...
engulfed Bastrop, Texas
Bastrop, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there are 5340 people in Bastrop, organized into 2034 households and 1336 families. The population density is 734.8 people per square mile . There are 2,239 housing units at an average density of 308.1 per square mile...
and by September 30 had destroyed 1,645 homes, burned 34,068 acres, and killed two people. This fire is now regarded as the most catastrophic wildfire in Texas history.
Texas Governor Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
declared a State of Disaster starting on December 21, 2010 and renewed the proclamation every month. On April 16, 2011 Perry asked that President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
declare 252 of 254 Texas counties as disaster areas due to wildfires and wildfire danger; the request was partially approved on July 1, 2011. Critics of the governor's relief efforts point to his budget cuts to the Texas Forest Service
Texas Forest Service
Texas Forest Service is an agency chartered by the Texas Legislature to manage the interests of Texas' forests. It is a part of the Texas A&M University System...
which provides a first line of defense against wildfires.
Background
The current Texas wildfire season began on November 15, 2010. A La NiñaLa Niña
La Niña is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that is the counterpart of El Niño as part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation climate pattern. During a period of La Niña, the sea surface temperature across the equatorial Eastern Central Pacific Ocean will be lower than normal by 3–5 °C...
weather pattern that began in the summer of 2010 brought widespread drought to Texas. The percentage of exceptional drought in the state was the highest since the United States Drought Monitor began tracking the data in 2000. A pattern of troughs from the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
brought strong winds over the plains
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
. These weather conditions coupled with an above normal grass fuel loading created conditions for an active fire season.
Notable fires
This is a list of known Texas wildfires occurring in 2011 that reached a size greater than 10,000 acres (40 km2) and/or caused significant destruction in residential areas.Bastrop County Complex
Due to the on going exceptional drought conditions in most of Texas and the high winds brought to the state by Tropical Storm LeeTropical Storm Lee (2011)
Tropical Storm Lee was the twelfth named storm and thirteenth system overall of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, developing from a broad tropical disturbance over the Gulf on September 1. It was designated as Tropical Storm Lee the next day...
, a series of wildfires flared up over Labor Day weekend and continued into the following week. The largest and most destructive was what is now known as the Bastrop County Complex
Bastrop County Complex fire
The Bastrop County Complex fire was a major wildfire that struck Bastrop County in the U.S. state of Texas in September 2011. The fire started on September 4, 2011, during Labor Day weekend, and burned east of the city of Bastrop. 1,645 homes were destroyed by the fire, making it the most...
. At approximately 3:00 p.m. (CDT) on September 4, two fires started north of Bastrop State Park
Bastrop State Park
Bastrop State Park is a state park in Bastrop County in central Texas. The park was established in 1938 and consists of stands of Loblolly Pines mixed with Post Oak and junipers.-History:...
in the communities of Circle D-KC Estates and Taihitan Village. The likely cause of the blaze was sparks from electric power lines. 30 mph gusts of wind apparently toppled trees which tumbled into electrical lines at two locations, creating sparks that fell onto and ignited the dry grass and leaf litter below. The fire was exacerbated by the outflow of Tropical Storm Lee in conjunction with exceptional drought. The fire quickly spread, engulfing 400 homes. Multiple areas and locales were evacuated, including the Bastrop Animal Shelter
Animal shelter
An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost, or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats.Parrots, for example, are the third most common pet owned by people...
, Bastrop State Park (more than half of which was burned), and other communities affected by the fire. By 7:30 PM on September 5, 2011, the fire had burned about 25,000 acres and 500 homes. Winds began to calm the evening of September 5, but the fire still had no containment by the evening of September 6. By September 11, 1,554 homes had been destroyed. By October 1, the fire had reached 98% containment but had burned a total of 34,068 acres and 1,645 homes, making it the most destructive fire in Texas history. At 8:00 PM on October 10, the fire was declared 100% contained.
Colorado County Fire
On September 4, a fire started in Mentz, a rural community about 8 miles northeast of Columbus, TX. The fire consumed 1800 acres, 11 homes, 40 outbuildings, and about 38 vehicles. The fire was contained a few days later.Cooper Mountain Ranch Fire
The fire in Kent, Stonewall, Fisher and Scurry Counties started on April 11 in Kent County. The fire spread to the other counties by April 14, and the town of RotanRotan, Texas
Rotan is a city in Fisher County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,611 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rotan is located at ....
was evacuated. On April 15, the wind shifted and pushed the fire toward Camp Springs in Scurry County, where the fire destroyed four homes. In total, 162625 acres (658.1 km²) burned.
Crockett Fires
Fires burned between Texas 7 and US 287 and County Road 4505 but later jumped across to CR 4529. The cause of this fire is unknown.Another fire originally started in Anderson County but moved into Houston County near the Percilla Community. This fire was apparently caused by a downed power line.
Deaton Cole Fire
The grass fire in Val Verde CountyVal Verde County, Texas
Val Verde County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2008, estimated population was 55,000. Its county seat is Del Rio. In 1936, Val Verde County received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark number 5625 to commemorate its founding.Val Verde, which means "green...
, 30 miles (48.3 km) southwest of Ozona
Ozona, Texas
Ozona is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Crockett County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,436 at the 2000 census...
burned 175000 acres (708.2 km²). The fire started on April 25 and the cause is unknown. The fire was controlled on May 10.
Delhi Fire
On September 4, a fire began near Jeddo, TexasJeddo, Texas
Jeddo is an unincorporated community in Bastrop County, Texas, United States. Its elevation is 463 feet .-School:The Jeddo area is entirely served by the Smithville Independent School District approx 18 miles to the northeast...
in Caldwell County
Caldwell County, Texas
Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. In 2000, the population was 32,194. Its county seat is Lockhart...
. The next day, 6 homes were burned, including 1000 acres (4 km²).
Dickens Complex
The Dickens Complex of fires in Dickens County consisted of the Edwards, Batch Camp, South Camp, and Afton fires. The fires were started by lightning strikes on May 7. The fires were contained on May 15 after burning 89200 acres (361 km²).Encino Fire
The Encino Fire was located 15–20 miles South of San AngeloSan Angelo, Texas
San Angelo is a city in the state of Texas. Located in West Central Texas it is the county seat of Tom Green County. As of 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total population of 93,200...
. It started from a lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
strike during a thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
. The fire consumed over 12000 acres (48.6 km²) but destroyed no buildings.
Gladewater Fire
In a fire which was described by a longtime sheriff described as "the fastest moving fire he had ever seen", 1400 acres were burned, six houses destroyed, and many barns, outbuildings and pieces of equipment were lost. More tragically, 2 fatalities occurred in a mobile home, when a mother and her 18-month-old daughter were unable to escape the fast moving blaze. A house mate was injured when he escaped the blaze. The fires moved so quickly due to the extremely dry conditions and the high winds, sometimes reaching 40 mph. The fire was later extinguished despite state firefighting resources being stretched to their limits.Griffith League Scout Ranch Fire
This fire started around 2pm on October 4th 2011 at Oak Hill Cemetery Road, east of FM 2336, near the Griffith League Scout Ranch. It grew to 100 acres within two hours, 1,000 acres by nightfall. The outbreak was 25% contained by 8:30pm following the efforts of seven bulldozers and over 30 fire trucks with assistance from four aircraft that dumped 90,000 gallons of fire retardant onto the blaze. As of the morning of October 5th, 50 homes had been evacuated.The 5,000 acre ranch had already lost approximately 1,000 acres to fire on September 4th and 5th. 350 acres had burned previously in a wildfire on August 21st 2010.
Horseshoe Fire
On August 15, 2011, a wildfire broke out in central LeanderLeander, Texas
Leander is a city in Williamson and Travis counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 7,596 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimates the population is now 25,424...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. 189 homes in the surrounding area were immediately evacuated. The fire burned 30 acres in total and raced through a mobile-home neighborhood, destroying 15 homes and multiple vehicles. Since it broke out on Horseshoe Drive, it is known as the Horseshoe Fire. This was the first of two destructive fires Leander experienced within three weeks, the second being the Moonglow Fire.
Iron Mountain Fire
The cause of the Iron Mountain Fire is unknown. The fire started on May 9 in Brewster CountyBrewster County, Texas
Brewster County is a county located in western part of the US state of Texas, along the border with Mexico. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. As of the 2000 census, the population is 8,866. In 2009, the population was estimated to be 9,481. Its...
about 25 miles (40.2 km) east of Alpine
Alpine, Texas
Alpine is a city in and the county seat of Brewster County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,786 people at the 2000 census, and had increased to 5,905 by 2010.-History:...
eventually getting to within 10 miles (16.1 km) of the town. The fire burned over 89400 acres (361.8 km²).
Moonglow Fire
On September 5, a wildfire broke out in the Mason Creek North subdivision (on Moonglow Drive) in LeanderLeander, Texas
Leander is a city in Williamson and Travis counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 7,596 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimates the population is now 25,424...
. Police declared the cause to be arson. The fire destroyed 11 homes and damaged nine. The Moonglow fire was the second destructive wildfire Leander had experienced within three weeks, leading the Leander City Council to declare the city a disaster area shortly thereafter.
Pedernales Bend Fire
The Perdernales Bend Fire (also known as the Spicewood fire and Pedernales Fire One) was a fire that began on September 4 near Lake TravisLake Travis
Lake Travis is a reservoir on the Colorado River in central Texas in the United States. The reservoir was formed in 1942 by the construction of Mansfield Dam on the western edge of Austin, Texas by the Lower Colorado River Authority...
. Fanned by strong winds, the fire quickly grew, forcing residents in a 3 miles (4.8 km) radius of the fire to evacuate the area. By the end of the day, the fire was estimated to have engulfed 400 acres (1.6 km²). The next day, the fire already destroyed 20 homes and moved across the Pedernales River
Pedernales River
The Pedernales River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately long, in central Texas in the United States. It drains an area of the Edwards Plateau, flowing west to east across the Texas Hill Country west of Austin...
, continuing to burn in Hays County. Most of the fire moved to the west of the river, where it destroyed an additional 65 structures and engulfed a total of 6400 acres (25.9 km²). The fire also cut power
Power outage
A power outage is a short- or long-term loss of the electric power to an area.There are many causes of power failures in an electricity network...
from 545 homes. However, the growing fire slowed down as it was quickly contained, and on September 7, the fire was completely contained. In total, 65 structures were destroyed, including 34 homes. The fire burned 6400 acres (25.9 km²) in total.
Possum Kingdom Complex
The Possum Kingdom Complex is a grouping of four wildfires that has consumed about 148000 acres (598.9 km²) in StephensStephens County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,674 people, 3,661 households, and 2,591 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile . There were 4,893 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile...
, Young
Young County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,943 people, 7,167 households, and 5,081 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 8,504 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
and Palo Pinto counties. The complex consists of the Possum Kingdom West Fire (90,000 acres), Possum Kingdom East Fire 11000 acres (44.5 km²), Hohertz Fire 40000 acres (161.9 km²) and Jackson Ranch Fire 7000 acres (28.3 km²). The fire destroyed 166 homes and two churches. 600 more homes were threatened. Possum Kingdom State Park
Possum Kingdom State Park
Possum Kingdom State Park is a state park in Palo Pinto County, Texas, that was built in the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It covers approximately , and lies in the Palo Pinto Mountains and Brazos River Valley of Texas. The park borders the large Possum Kingdom Lake, a lake known for...
was closed on April 15. Ninety percent of the park was involved in the fire. 450 firefighters, three helitankers
Aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing...
and three helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s fought the fire along a 270 miles (434.5 km) fire line.
On August 30, 2011, another outbreak of wildfires ravaged the Possum Kingdom Lake area, continuing well into September and destroying 39 homes by the time of containment.
Riley Road Fire
The Riley Road Fire started on September 5 in Waller County. Within three days, the fire had scorched at least 12,500 acres and destroyed over 100 homes in Grimes, MontgomeryMontgomery County, Texas
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The county was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837. The county was named for the town of Montgomery, Texas. In 2000, its...
and Waller counties. As of September 8, firefighters said the fire was just 30 percent contained.
Rockhouse Fire
The Rockhouse Fire began on April 9 west of MarfaMarfa, Texas
Marfa is a town in the high desert of far West Texas in the Southwestern United States. Located between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park, it is also the county seat of Presidio County. The population was 1,981 at the 2010 census....
. An electrical short in an abandoned building is believed to have started the fire. The fire burned more than 314444 acres (1,272.5 km²) across Presidio
Presidio County, Texas
Presidio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 7,304. Its county seat is Marfa. Presidio County is in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas and is named for the ancient border settlement of Presidio del Norte.-Geography:Presidio County is triangular in...
and Jeff Davis
Jeff Davis County, Texas
Jeff Davis County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. It is named for Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America. It is one of the nine counties that comprise the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. In 2000, its population was 2,207, and 2,258 by 2009...
counties. The fire destroyed 24 homes and two businesses, and killed herds of cattle and 4 horses. On April 10, Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountains State Park is a state park located in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, Texas. The closest town is Fort Davis, Texas. The park elevation is between 5000 and 6000 feet above sea level. The original portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a...
was closed indefinitely due to the proximity of the fire. The park was used as a staging and camping area for firefighters for the duration of the fire. Texas State Highway 118 was also closed at several times during the fire.
Scenic Brook Fire
On the morning of April 17, Michael Weathers, a homeless man, started a campfire to cook his breakfast. He later left the campfire unattended, and the hot coals started a fire that spread into the Scenic Brook subdivision in AustinAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. Two C-130 airplanes dispersed fire retardant chemicals. Police and EMS helicopters equipped with buckets dropped water on the blaze. The fire covered about 100 acre (0.404686 km²), destroyed 11 homes and damaged 10 others. Weathers was arrested and charged with arson.
Schwartz Fire
The Schwartz Fire started May 7 and the cause is still under investigation. The fire began 20 miles (32.2 km) east of MarathonMarathon, Texas
Marathon is a census-designated place in Brewster County, Texas, United States. The population was 470 in 2007, after growing from 455 in 2000, but had decreased to 430 by 2010.-Geography:Marathon is located at ....
in Brewster County and burned about 84000 acres (339.9 km²).
Swenson Fire
Sparks from a cutting torch started the Swenson Fire on April 6 near AspermontAspermont, Texas
Aspermont is a town in and the county seat of Stonewall County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. Aspermont means "rough mountain" in Latin....
and burned 122500 acres (495.7 km²) in King, Knox
Knox County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,253 people, 1,690 households, and 1,166 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile . There were 2,129 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
, and Stonewall counties but caused minimal structure damage. Two unoccupied houses were lost.
White Hat Fire
The White Hat Fire was started during the morningMorning
The word morning originally referred to the sunrise. Morning precedes midday, afternoon, and night in the sequence of a day.Morning is the part of the day usually reckoned from dawn to noon...
hours of June 20 about 8.5 mi (13.7 km) west of Blackwell, Texas
Blackwell, Texas
Blackwell is a city in Coke and Nolan counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 360 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blackwell is located at ....
in Nolan County. Bulldozers, fire engines, and heavy tankers were sent to handle the fire. However, towards the end of the day, no containment of the fire was reported, and it had already destroyed 7 houses and had enlarged to a size greater than 20000 acre (80.9 km²). Soon, residents east of the community of Maryneal
Maryneal, Texas
Maryneal is an unincorporated community in southern Nolan County, Texas, United States. It lies along FM 608 south of the city of Sweetwater, the county seat of Nolan County. Its elevation is 2,566 feet...
would be evacuated. The next day, the fire continued to spread, reaching a size of 65000 acre (263 km²) and burning down an additional 5 structures. 100 firefighters were sent to battle the flames. On June 22, progress was made and the fire was 50% contained. Due to lower winds the next day, the fire decreased and became 70% contained, but it had already burned 70900 acre (286.9 km²) of land and charred 35 homes. The fire continued to decrease in size over the next days. On June 27, the fire was declared fully contained after burning 72473 acre (293.3 km²).
Wildcat Fire
The Wildcat Fire started on April 11 from a lightning strike in northern Tom Green County, and southern Coke County near BronteBronte, Texas
Bronte is a town in Coke County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,076 at the 2000 census.Texas State Senator Grady Hazlewood, who served from the Amarillo-based District 31 from 1941-1971, was born in 1902 in Coke County near Bronte.-Geography:...
. The fire burned and caused evacuations in Grape Creek, a small community north of San Angelo. By April 16, the winds shifted and moved the fire towards Robert Lee
Robert Lee, Texas
Robert Lee is a city in and the county seat of Coke County, Texas, United States. The founders named the city after Robert E. Lee, who is thought to have set up camp for a time near the current townsite on the Colorado River. Lee served in Texas from 1856 to 1861 as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S...
and forced evacuations along Farm to Market Road 2105 and Texas State Highway 208
Texas State Highway 208
State Highway 208 or SH 208 is a Texas state highway that runs from near Spur to San Angelo.-History:The route was originally designated in 1939 from Colorado City to San Angelo. The section from Robert Lee to Colorado City was dropped in 1942, but was reinstated in 1947, when it replaced RM 18....
. On April 17, Bronte was under a recommended evacuation, but expired the same day. By April 18, the fire burned an estimated 100000 acres (404.7 km²), with a 10% containment, then the same day a confirmed 30% containment was stated. On April 21, the fire was at 75% containment, after burning 159308 acres (644.7 km²), and 95% of one ranch.
See Also
- Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of TexasDays of Prayer for Rain in the State of TexasThe Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas refers to a designated three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, during which Texas governor Rick Perry asked that Texans pray for "the healing of our land [Texas]" and for an end to the drought...