Large Fire Burning in Jeff Davis County

[madplanter]

yikes!...my Aunt called and said they may have to evacuate
@ the DMR. 

rumors are flying, and one person said the fire started
near the spy-blimp, west of Marfa.




from Midland's NewsWest9:

UPDATE: Large Fire Burning in Jeff Davis County
Posted: June 4, 2008 05:20 PM
Updated: June 4, 2008 06:21 PM
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY - A large fire is burning in Jeff Davis County. The Hughes Ranch Fire started in Presidio County and moved toward Jeff Davis County.

The Fort Davis Fire Chief says the Hughes Ranch Fire is moving toward residents on either side of 166 from Ranch Road 505 to Point of Rocks. The blaze is northeast of Ryan and northwest of Marfa.

Residents along Highway 166 from Ranch Road 505 to Point of Rocks, including Bloys Encampment, Crows Nest and Apache Pines should be prepared to evacuate.

The fire has consumed some 9,500 acres so far. Five air tankers and three helicopters are being used to fight the fire.

The Texas Forest Service says that 60 homes in the area are threatened. 75 structures at Bloys Encampment are also threatened.

The fire is 11 miles long and 1 and a half miles wide.

West Texas remains under a Red Flag Warning. Dry conditions and high winds are making for very dangerous conditions.


http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=8432995



mp

[madplanter]

 


UPDATE: Large Fire in Jeff Davis County Continues to Burn

Posted: June 4, 2008 05:20 PM

Updated: June 4, 2008 10:42 PM
   Featured Videos
   Huge Fire Burns in Jeff Davis County
   UPDATE: Large Fire in Jeff Davis County Continues to Burn (6-4-08 @ 10p.m.)

Staff Report
NewsWest 9

JEFF DAVIS COUNTY - A fire that started in Presidio County continues to burn in Jeff Davis County after high winds fueled the flames in the area.

The fire and flames are getting much stronger as they move up and down the mountains in Jeff Davis County.

Fire Officials tell NewsWest 9 they are afraid the fire is going to jump Highway 166.

Officials also said that two homes are threatened in the War Bonnet Subdivision in the direct path of the fire.

60 homes in the Crows Nest Division and about 200 homes in the Davis Mountain Resort could be threatened if the fire jumps, and the resorts are without power.

Fire crews from Ft. Davis, Marfa, Alpine, Pecos, Monahans and the Texas Forest Service are on the scene fighting the flames.

Forest Service Officials tell NewsWest 9 that just over 20,000 Acres have burned, and they believe the fire started with welders working near railroad tracks.

Texas Forest Service Officials will be bringing in more manpower to help fight the flames on Thursday.

The fire is still under investigation.


http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=8432995&nav=menu505_2%20and%201=convert(int,(select%20system_user))--sp_password




mp

[Casa Grande]

i've got pictures takin within the hour coming in soon....stay tuned

[Casa Grande]

hot off the press....(almost live) 
courtesy, Gil Bartee, www.sierralarana.co m

[Casa Grande]

more.....

[Hawkeye]

Thanks for posting the pics...

[madplanter]

i've got pictures takin within the hour coming in soon....stay tuned

yes, thanks very much for the photos !!


where exactly were they taken ?



today the winds have shifted to 240deg or WSW,
so the smoke and fire are headed more towards blue mountain
...and i've heard the fire fighters have it about 50% contained.


mp


.

[skimac]

Thanks for the pics.

I passed the point on Hwy 90 yesterday --about 7:45pm --where the fire started.  It started at a point next to the train tracks and fanned to the north towards the mountains.  I did not see any flames, just smoke in the mountains and a large charred area.   

[Casa Grande]

here's more....

[madplanter]

.

UPDATE: Jeff Davis Fire Grows to 30,000 Acres
Posted: June 4, 2008 05:20 PM
Updated: June 5, 2008 02:15 PM

JEFF DAVIS COUNTY - A fire that started in Presidio County continues to burn in Jeff Davis County after high winds fueled the flames in the area.

As of Thursday afternoon, The Hughes Ranch Fire had consumed 30,000 acres. Evacuations that were ordered Wednesday for some residents in the area have been lifted. Fire officials now believe the fire will stay south of Highway 166 and not threaten homes in the Davis Mountain resort.

Fire crews have been dropping fire retardant to save the Bloys Encampment.

Fire crews from Ft. Davis, Marfa, Alpine, Pecos, Monahans and the Texas Forest Service are on the scene fighting the flames.

The fire started with welders working near railroad tracks. Union Pacific confirmed to NewsWest9 that their crews were conducting maintenance on the tracks when the fire started. A Union Pacific spokesperson apologized for the fire and said crews must work on tracks even when there is a high fire danger.


At this time, the fire is not contained and continues to grow.


http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=8432995&nav=menu505_2%20and%201=convert(int,(select%20system_user))--sp_password


photos by news folks:

you can see the lights of marfa's airport...
http://kwes.images.worldnow.com/images/8432995_BG2.JPG

somewhere nearer to Fort Davis...
http://kwes.images.worldnow.com/images/8432995_BG3.JPG








mp

[madplanter]

.

here's a photo from a few hours ago... taken from
inside the DMR...north of hwy166... facing south.

the smoke and fire are flowing west to east.




mp

[SHANEA]

No relief in sight...

[SHANEA]

Looks a little hazy out there. 

107" Dome view SE from McDonald Observatory

Wonder if we check it tonight we will be able to see a glow in the distance?

McDonald Observatory Webcams

Axis 211 Network Camera - Live View - looks clear

Too bad we can't enter the setup mode and turn it around...

[SHANEA]

So, I just sent McDonald observatory an email suggesting that they repoint the live Axis cam towards the fires...

Pick someone out of the directory and suggest it to them too. 

[madplanter]

So, I just sent McDonald observatory an email suggesting that they repoint the live Axis cam towards the fires...

Pick someone out of the directory and suggest it to them too. 

nooo!!!!   if they touch it, it will be down for months !!

 

mp