Wildland fires are sweeping accross the North Texas area, and these types of fires are the most devistating types of fire a firefighter can face because they can affect a larger area both populated and unpopulated. This fire in the Wichita Falls, Texas area has forced hundreds to evacuated to include an entire town, and destroying 30 homes.
It's when large wildland fires such as these, that the Community works together and helps out as best they can. Years back when I was still an active USAF firefighter we did just that outside McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. It was on February 18, 1994 that a devastating fire engulfed over 2000 acres around the Adover Kansas area. The70 plus persons from the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron provided additional fire suppression and moral support to the fighting a massive fire fueled by gusting 40-mile per hour wind. The quick action taken by all fighting this wildland fire saved 48 homes without loss to human life.
These massive fire fueled wildland fires are hard to fight because flames are whip by strong winds engulfing large areas where resources are thin to extinguish. In the Wichita Falls, Texas area there are neighborhoods around the Sheppard Air Force Base that were in need of help to fight wildland fires that endangered neighborhoods.
Such was the case where Community works together and helps out for those in need. The Sheppard Air Force Base sent firefighters to assist other Wichita Falls area fire departments in fighting fires in the surrounding areas.
Sheppard Air Force Base firefighters responded to fight these fires in the Wichita Falls community. The Texas drought and high winds, up to 60 mph, contributed to a fast moving wildfire that threatened and destroyed homes. Fire department's tanker and engine crews prevented flames from reach many homes for seven hours.
The Sheppard Air Force Base Emergency Services responded two Striker Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting trucks that are credited with preventing additional spread of fire outside the air base where they responded to. Seven houses were destroyed over a three street area , with many more damaged.
We all want to keep all in the North Texas area in our thoughts and prayers of being safe as these wildfires are being battled and extinguished by the firefighters.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
No comments:
Post a Comment