Dry conditions and high heat indexes are continuing to increase fire danger, leading to two large fires in the area and exhausting emergency crews.
On Monday, Aug. 24 a large fire broke out in Palo Pinto County named the Ross Fire and another one in Hamilton County named Rio Escondido Fire.
As of press time on Tuesday, the Ross Fire had quickly grown to 50,000 acres with only 5% containment in Palo Pinto and Jack counties. Rio Escondido Fire had reached 2,650 acres with 50% containment, affecting both Coryell and Hamilton counties.
Many agencies are aiding on the Ross Fire as it continues to grow due to heavy fuel loads, high temperatures and low humidity. Erath Fire/ Rescue had sent crews overnight to help on Monday night along with Huckabay VFD, Gorman, Eastland, Carbon, Desdemona and DeLeon.
Dublin VFD itself has fought and aided other departments over the past few weeks with grass and structure fires.
DVFD battled a small grass fire quickly brought under control Sunday, Aug. 23 on South Patrick.
As long periods with no rain and high temps continue, 178 counties in Texas (including Erath) are now under a burn ban. Erath County’s drought index is currently 679 out of 800 and is increasing each day by about 6-8 points, according to Erath County Fire Marshal Tommy Shelton.
For those wanting to aid volunteer firefighters, Dublin VFD is specifically in need of individually bottled Gatorade drinks. They can be dropped off at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For those wanting to aid directly with the Ross Fire, donations can be made in a variety of ways.
Rancher Navy – Texas Farm and Ranch Disaster Relief nonprofit are actively working to aid with livestock needs. To donate go to givebutter. com/ supportranchernavy or Venmo: @ RancherNavyTX Walmart in Mineral Wells is taking donations at the service desk.
United Way of Palo Pinto County is also taking donations at Drop off donations at: 1031 E Hubbard St. Mineral Wells, TX 76067.
Here are some of the fire departments if you want to donate financially directly to them. They will all accept checks.
Palo Pinto County
Graford Rural Volunteer Fire Rescue & EMS: 108 W. Lee Ave., Graford, TX 76449 Palo Pinto Volunteer Fire Department: 620 Oak St., Palo Pinto, TX 76484 Possum Kingdom East Volunteer Fire Department: 358 N. FM 2353, Graford, TX 76449 Brazos Volunteer Fire Department: 201 E. Rusk St., Santo, TX 76472 Lake Palo Pinto Volunteer Fire Department: 7830 FM 2692, Gordon, TX 76453 Lone Camp Volunteer Fire Department: 7236 S. FM 4, Santo/Palo Pinto, TX 76472 Santo Volunteer Fire & EMS Department: 1250 FM 2201, Santo, TX 76472 Gordon Volunteer Fire Department: 111 E. Crockett St., Gordon, TX 76453 Mineral Wells Fire/ EMS: 212 S. Oak Ave., Mineral Wells, TX 76067 Jack County
Perrin Volunteer Fire Department: 135 W. Hackley St., Perrin, TX 76486 Jacksboro Fire Department: 112 W. Belknap, Jacksboro, TX 76458 East Jack County Volunteer Fire Department: 6840 FM 1156, Jacksboro, TX 76458 Bryson Fire Department: P.O. Box 22, Bryson, TX 76427 Hamilton County
Evant VFD: P.O.Box 10 , Evant, TX, United States HVFD: P.O. Box 583, Hamilton, TX 76531 Donations are also being collected at the WinStop Convenience Store in Evant currently.