NEWS
Dry conditions fueling grass fires across north Texas
During the weekend north Texas firefighters battled several wildfires that damaged thousands of acres, structures and shut down major highways due to heavy smoke and fire.
Concerns about potential fire conditions this week led the governor’s office to preposition two large air tankers regionally to be available to respond quickly to fire danger.
This past two Friday two major wildfires threatened towns and property in this region. Firefighters from across a 120-mile area responded to the fires including numerous firefighters from Montague County departments.
The Electra complex fire began about 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 and is believed to have started on Hwy. 25 near the hospital. Wichita County Sheriff David Duke reported it was likely power lines crossed in the high winds which may have sparked the fire.
Some 2,300 acres were impacted by the fire and Electra School District, residents along U.S. Highway 287 and locations along Business 287 were called to evacuate. U.S. 287 also was closed down for a time period due to heavy smoke
and fire. Wichita County Judge Woody Gossom approved a disaster declaration for this fire area Monday. The fire was not fully contained until Sunday.
That same afternoon a grass fire started in Clay County south of Jolly. Called the Arrowhead fire, it eventually covered more than 6,300 acres in Clay County.
The fire jumped U.S. 287 and split into two fires as the high winds pushed the fire north. It also was not fully contained until Sunday. Evacuations also were being considered for several small towns and communities in the fire line.
A Dec. 11 fire in Young County burned across more than 500 acres.
Conditions around much of Texas are dry and forecasts are calling for winter weather to be warmer and drier than average.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of the High Plains, West Texas and East Texas are in extreme drought to abnormally dry. West central, central and coastal parts of the state are not experiencing drought.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
The Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on May 27 in council chambers.
Items on the agenda include the following: City manager’s report discussing the master plan grant, repairs to Rock and Pillar and status of the substation transformer; consent agenda of minutes and bills; speed limit ordinance update second reading; Bowie 4B Sales Tax Corporation request to approve expenditures on park enhancement project to include additional concrete parking at Pelham Park and installation of covered pickleball courts southwest of the Bowie knife and public comments.
Bowie City Councilors heard complaints about the recently approved food truck ordinance during last week’s meeting and were updated on damage from recent flash flooding.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris also presented a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week, as members of the local EMS team were presented with the proclamation.
In his city manager’s report, Bert Cunningham said there were numerous problems with excessive rainfall during the last few weeks, with the most significant at Rock and Pillar where the rusted washed out culverts have been deteriorating for several years. Portions of Rock have collapsed near that intersection closing part of the street.
Another less traveled street had a sinkhole which the city crews have repaired, and two crews have been out trying to fill potholes and make street repairs as they can.
Cunningham told the council they have to figure out a way to pay for the new culverts on Rock and Pillar, and he has been meeting with a pair of engineering companies to get some preliminary estimates that are close to $1,000,000. He also has been talking with the city’s financial advisor to discuss options for financing repairs.
Read the full story in the May 22 Bowie News.
Photo – Mayor Gaylynn Burris presented a proclamation from the City of Bowie for National EMS Recognition Week. Several members of the Bowie EMS team were present: Daniel Fogle, Enrique Roman, Fire Chief Doug Page, Chad Gerlach, Marco Sandoval and Luke Waltersheid. (Courtesy photo)
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