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San Angelo firefighters have returned after fighting fires in Crockett Co. for two weeks

When firefighters in Crockett County called for help in fighting a 26,000-acre fire, the SAFD didn't hesitate to send a team out immediately.

SAN ANGELO, Texas — On Sunday, April 19, a wildfire began raging along Holcombe Road in Crockett County. A combination of intense heat and high winds quickly led the fire to becoming out of control. That's when the fire department in Ozona called neighboring towns and cities. The San Angelo Fire Department was the first strike team on the scene.

“When they call us, it’s because it’s starting to get out of control. We’re blessed to be able to help them now, because we weren't always able to. We also do this on a volunteer basis. The fire department does not send us or pay us to respond to those fires. We look for the opportunity to go because it’s an opportunity for us to train, get more experience, and then also develop good relationships with them," Fred Barnett, SAFD Battalion Chief, said. 

Firefighters on the scene worked day and night to contain the fires. Although no one is sure of what caused the fire, Barnett said a recent lack of rain combined with high temperatures and low humidity creates a perfect environment for fires to begin. 

“I-10 and south to the border has been in a drought. We’ve been getting rain and they haven’t had any rain. Everything was bone dry, the temperature was getting into the mid-90’s, relative humidity was down 10% during the day. Then a cold front came through which changed the direction of the wind. When those winds turn, it’s next to impossible to stop it. You just have to be prepared to do all you can, and if necessary you fall back to another line and try to stop it there," he said.

Barnett and his colleagues expect the Crockett County fire to be the first of many this season. 

"With these heavy winds and high heats coming in, a lot of red flag days look to be coming to our area. The last couple of years we’ve been pretty blessed with a lot of rain and a lot of vegetation growth, but, unfortunately, we went from green to brown really quick here in San Angelo. I anticipate our region being pretty busy," Jade Hughes, SAFD engine boss and driver, said.

There are some things citizens can do to help prevent the start of wildfires, according to Hughes.

For example, if you own a ranch/farm: "We do what’s called a ‘prescribed burn.’ We try to plan out when the weather’s good so we can actually go in, set fires to a specific area that may be a hazard later on, and go ahead and get rid of the vegetation so new growth can come in. That’ll prevent a lot of the wildfires from happening."

Hughes also encourages people to keep their grass cut short, make sure if there’s a burn going on you do not have any brush fires, watch where you’re throwing your cigarettes (put them in ashtrays, not out the window), and, if you’re welding, make sure you have a bucket of water close by.

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