County and fire departments join forces to keep fire under control

ALMOST 1,400 ACRES BURNED; PROMPTLY CONTROLLED
  • HEAVY SMOKE Thick smoke from hundreds of smoldering rubber tires filled the air and shut down a portion of highway 222 in Knox County Thursday afternoon. There were no buildings involved, and the fire was covered to the south side of the highway.
    HEAVY SMOKE Thick smoke from hundreds of smoldering rubber tires filled the air and shut down a portion of highway 222 in Knox County Thursday afternoon. There were no buildings involved, and the fire was covered to the south side of the highway.
  • FENCED IN In Knox County this week, a barbed wire fence seems to have kept a fire from crossing a road. Firefighters often travel along the fences soakingdownthevegetation— also known as fuel—to keep fires from spreading onto other properties. Ideally, a fence row is open enough for a fire truck to drive along it.
    FENCED IN In Knox County this week, a barbed wire fence seems to have kept a fire from crossing a road. Firefighters often travel along the fences soakingdownthevegetation— also known as fuel—to keep fires from spreading onto other properties. Ideally, a fence row is open enough for a fire truck to drive along it.
  • EERIE SIGHT The effects of fire can resemble dispatches from a war zone. This abandoned homestead that once stood along FM 2279 reminds residents of the destructive power of fire, and how important volunteer fire departments are in rural communities.
    EERIE SIGHT The effects of fire can resemble dispatches from a war zone. This abandoned homestead that once stood along FM 2279 reminds residents of the destructive power of fire, and how important volunteer fire departments are in rural communities.
  • CLOSE CALL The Morrison home was very near disaster during the fire west of O’Brien, but Knox City VFD was able to stop the flames from getting across CR 174 in most places. When the fire did cross the road, it did not get far.
    CLOSE CALL The Morrison home was very near disaster during the fire west of O’Brien, but Knox City VFD was able to stop the flames from getting across CR 174 in most places. When the fire did cross the road, it did not get far.
  • COUNTY EQUIPMENT UNLOADED The county bulldozer being unloaded while chief deputy Ryan Thrash looks on. In rural areas firefighters rely on cooperation from everyone in order to perform their duties. This fire east of Munday had 2 volunteer fire departments, a state trooper, sheriff’s office, and county employees all as part of the effort to get the fire out |TROY PARTON
    COUNTY EQUIPMENT UNLOADED The county bulldozer being unloaded while chief deputy Ryan Thrash looks on. In rural areas firefighters rely on cooperation from everyone in order to perform their duties. This fire east of Munday had 2 volunteer fire departments, a state trooper, sheriff’s office, and county employees all as part of the effort to get the fire out |TROY PARTON
  • COOL-DOWN BREAK Firefighters, law enforcement and county crew members take a break to cool down and assess the fire before heading back to work or home.The fire took approximately 3 and a half hours to get under control. | TROY PARTON
    COOL-DOWN BREAK Firefighters, law enforcement and county crew members take a break to cool down and assess the fire before heading back to work or home.The fire took approximately 3 and a half hours to get under control. | TROY PARTON
  • RIGHT SCORCHED EARTH Nothing but sand and charred plants remained visible along the east side of FM 2279 after this week’s fires. This barren landscape stretches a little over a mile, located ½ mile south of CR 174. The fire on May 15 burned sporadically along both sides of the farm to market road.
    RIGHT SCORCHED EARTH Nothing but sand and charred plants remained visible along the east side of FM 2279 after this week’s fires. This barren landscape stretches a little over a mile, located ½ mile south of CR 174. The fire on May 15 burned sporadically along both sides of the farm to market road.
    Willdfires—many sparked by lightning strikes during hot, dry weather— have ignited in numerous locales across the U.S. in recent weeks, among them dozens in the Texas panhandle and plains alone.In Munday, on Thursday, May 14, Munday and Benjamin volunteer fire departments joined forces to prevent a fast-moving fire from crossing State Highway 222. Knox County joined ...

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