Firefighters battle blaze on hot day

By BRAD KELLAR
Herald-Banner Staff

WOLFE CITY July 13, 2008 12:36 am

— Personnel from four Hunt County fire departments spent the afternoon of the hottest day of the year — so far — battling a major grass fire between Greenville and Wolfe City.
With the high temperature hovering close to 100 degrees Saturday, firefighters from Wolfe City, Commerce, Celeste and Greenville struggled to contain the blaze, which covered approximately 90 acres before being brought under control, according to Hunt County Fire Marshal Richard Hill.
Hill said that even though there is no ban on outdoor burning in place for Hunt County at the present time, the conditions which can help precipitate grass and wild fires are worsening daily.
“It is extremely difficult,” Hill said of firefighting during a Texas summer. “You have got to be careful, because a firefighter just can’t work for long in these temperatures.”
The fire was first reported at around 3 p.m. near the intersection of County Roads 4502 and 4600, just south of the Aberfoyle Community. The Wolfe City Volunteer Fire Department was the first to respond, then called for mutual aid from Commerce, Celeste and Greenville.
“Hunt County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Latham sent in a motorgrader to help contain the fire,” Hill said, adding an unnamed civilian brought in his own private bulldozer to assist in the battle.
No one was injured in fighting the fire.
The high temperature at Majors Field Municipal Airport Saturday was 97 degrees, the hottest temperature recorded locally so far during 2008.
The Texas Forest Service listed most of the western and some of the northern edges of Hunt County under minimal drought conditions Saturday, as it has been weeks since a significant rainfall has been recorded locally.
There is a chance of some relief in the forecast. The National Weather Service was calling for a slight chance of thunderstorms, and high temperatures dipping down all the way to the lower 90s, for both today and Monday.