By Greg Kendall-Ball
The Abilene Reporter-News
HAMBY, Texas — A grass fire near Hamby destroyed at least two structures and threatened four others Monday afternoon.
Firefighters from Abilene, Hamby and the Texas Forest Service were dispatched about 3:45 p.m. Monday to the Farr Fire, which sparked just north of County Road 306, east of Lake Fort Phantom Hill.
J Sanders, a spokesman for the Abilene Fire Department, said winds of about 20 to 25 mph were driving the flames toward a house, but crews were able to protect the structure by positioning a fire engine from the Hamby Volunteer Fire Department at the scene. Sanders said it was unclear whether the home was being lived in.
The winds spread the flames beyond the house, where they claimed two structures — a barn and a detached garage, Sanders said.
Fire breaks previously cut by firefighters in the area helped keep the fire from spreading farther, Sanders said.
By 5:15 p.m., crews had begun mop-up operations, aided by a forest service helicopter that dropped loads of water onto hot spots.
Sanders said a total of about 200 acres was consumed. The fire was declared fully contained Monday night.
This year, more than 3.4 million acres have been consumed by wildfires across Texas.
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