If you were listening to KRTS at 11 AM, you heard a live interview with Dave Hickman, Public Information Officer for Lone Star Incident Management, part of the Texas Forest Service.
According to Hickman, the Rock House Fire is still considered 60% contained. While there is no active burning at this point, there are still several areas of smoldering ground. Until all possibilities of a flare up are eliminated, the fire cannot be considered contained. The Forest Service has also increased its estimate of acreage consumed to 166,000 acres.
Currently crews are working to eliminate smoldering areas located about 20 miles north of Fort Davis on both sides of 17. With winds expected to increase later today, firefighters are paying particular attention to the northeast edge of the fire. Hickman said the main concern today is the high winds.
Hickman described the firefighting operation today as calm and organized, and took the opportunity to stress the importance of fire prevention.
“We’re having more fires break out, and were emphasizing to the public to take extra precautions…don’t weld, don’t cook outside. The entire west half of state of Texas is under a red flag warning,” said Hickman. A red flag warning is issued when high winds, humidity, and high temperatures are all expected.
Hickman also said that life for Fort Davis residents was returning to normal. He said 98% have had electricity restored, and 100% have running water. Around 130 households are still without gas, but that’s expected to be restored by the end of the day.
Tune in at 11:45 AM for an interview with Joe Williams concerning livestock losses in the area.