Wildfires Wreak Havoc

There have been three fires burning in our area of Far West Texas: the Rock House fire, a new fire that allegedly started behind a restaurant in Fort Davis, and another new fire on the Shurley Ranch south of Marfa.

The infamous Rock House, 26 miles west of Marfa, Texas, after burning to the ground and setting off the eponymous wildfire.

The Rock House Fire started on April 9th, 26 miles west of Marfa and has thus far consumed well over 275,000 acres.  The fire is considered 66% contained according to KRTS and CBS7 reports that firefighters are staying clear of the head of the fire where winds and plentiful dry fuel endanger the lives of volunteers.  The high winds in West Texas are also pushing the fires within 8 miles of the town of Balmorhea, which has issued a voluntary evacuation and set up an emergency center in town.

Cattle threatened by the spreading fires.  Some ranchers have lost countless horses, cattle, and up to 100% of their grazing land, which will take 8-12 months to restore.

A recent map of the area burned in the Rock House fire. Click for larger image.

The Fort Davis Motor Lodge/Poco Mexico restaurant fire started yesterday, April 26th, in the town of Fort Davis.  The Fort Davis and Alpine Volunteer Fire Departments were called to the scene and immediately began working to control and impede the spread of that fire.

Smoke over the town of Fort Davis, indicating a new fire in West Texas.

Smoke darkens the sky and reduces visibility along Hwy 17 near Fort Davis, Texas.

According to KRTS, this fire was successfully extinguished around 3:30 this morning despite the extremely high winds which hampered other firefighting efforts in West Texas.

Also reported yesterday was the fire on the Shurley Ranch which lies about 20 miles south of Marfa, Texas.  Specific information on this fire is still scarce, but the most up to date info can be found on the KRTS website when it becomes available.

The most danger is posed by the Rock House fire, which has been thwarting firefighters for over two weeks and continues to threaten wildlife, their habitat, ranchers, their livelihood, as well as towns and residences throughout the Davis Mountains region.

Fires surround the world-famous McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas on April 19th, 2011.

The McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis has ceased tourist activities and
become a sort of crisis headquarters, with a briefing last night open
to public and the press about the fire status.

There are also reports of fires burning in the Midland/Odessa area, which is home to thousands of oil wells and associated infrastructure.

With so many fires running rampant and the region's limited resources stretched thin across so many hundreds of thousands of acres, residents are beginning to wonder if and when FEMA will step in and lend a hand to West Texas.