Firefighter hospitalized for heat exhaustion in Texas wildfire

By Jared Fields
The Abilene Reporter-News

CLYDE, Texas — A firefighter was injured battling a blaze here that charred about 30 acres, forced evacuations and burned a vacant trailer home Tuesday afternoon.

Clyde Fire Chief Billy Dezern said at least two outbuildings were lost. Dezern said another home on County Road 120 sustained some damage.

One Eula firefighter was taken to Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene for apparent heat exhaustion, Dezern said.

A Hendrick official said the man's condition was undetermined as of 9 p.m. and he was still being evaluated in the trauma center.

The fire began about 4 p.m. near the Sonic Drive-In on the north access road of Interstate 20. Dezern said he believes two arcing power lines started the fire.

The flames spread west and north through empty fields. Fire crews had the fire contained by 5:30 p.m. near County Roads 120 and 125.

Dezern said fewer than 50 people were evacuated from the area and were able to return later that evening.

Dezern said the responding units deserve credit for containing the fire quickly in dry conditions.

"They did a great job of containing (the fire)," Dezern said. "(The grass) may have a green tint to it, but it's still dry."

Units from Abilene, Baird, Cisco, Clyde, Eastland, Eula and Eastland responded to the fire.

Copyright 2009 The E.W. Scripps Company

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