The Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Exhausted Annaville volunteer firefighters battled nine fires in the last five days, and the department chief knows the end isn’t near.
“It takes a toll because you’re gone so much,” Annaville Fire Chief Michael Clack said. “The hours involved in the calls makes it really tough.”
Recent fires in the Coastal Bend have worn out area volunteer firefighters with some officials saying they’re running on little sleep and missing meals while South Texas is in peak fire season, which runs from February to April.
Clack said Annaville firefighters responded to at least six mutual aid requests Thursday before a call came in about the fire in Lagarto. The department, with about 35 members, didn’t have enough units to respond to the blaze, which destroyed 33 homes and displaced 18 families.
The fatigue isn’t limited to Annaville.
In Gregory, volunteer firefighters put out hot spots early Tuesday after two fires near southbound U.S. Highway 181 destroyed four buildings and damaged three Gregory homes.
Firefighters responded to reports of smoldering grass about 2 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday after they had put out the fires about 11 p.m. Monday, Gregory’s fire chief Brandon Luttrell said.
In Sinton, a 20-acre fire started about 11 p.m. Sunday about three miles west of Sinton near State Highway 188. The Sinton Volunteer Fire Department and fire departments from surrounding areas controlled the fire by 1:30 a.m. Monday, Sinton Fire Chief Clemente Sanchez said.
With low humidity and high winds across the Coastal Bend, the danger for brush fires remains elevated, said Jason Runyen, fire weather program leader with the National Weather Service.
“What’s making it worse this year is the drought we’re in,” Runyen said.
The area is 10 to 20 inches below normal rainfall, according to the weather service.
Copyright 2009 SCRIPPS Howard Publications
All Rights Reserved