“Tears of angels saved this right here”; Fort Davis reels and responds from fire; high winds pushing flames northward Sunday
By TOM HAINES
FORT DAVIS – Main Street through the center of town Sunday morning looked much the same as any other April morning, the Jeff Davis County Courthouse sturdy above its tidy green lawn, shops and businesses cleanly shuttered for a Sunday.
Yet there was commotion and urgency, too, as dozens of response crews – state and local fire fighters, sheriff’s deputies, AEP electricians, Texas Department of Highways workers, Texas Parks & Wildlife and US Border Patrol agents and more – gathered at a command center behind the courthouse to take stock of the destruction of one wave of fire and brace for another, should winds be unkind again to Fort Davis Sunday afternoon.
The place had the feel of a town reeling and responding between attacks from an unpredictable enemy, as the wildfire that raced through the southern and eastern edges of town yesterday was burning fiercely to the east and north of Fort Davis again by midday Sunday. Neighbors checked on one another and donated supplies to emergency crews. Agencies from across West Texas were rallying to support the locals.
There have been no fatalities or serious injuries so far. But the early tally for buildings and homes lost in and around the edges of Fort Davis yesterday is at 50.
The earth smolders Sunday morning on the lawn of a home that burned in Fort Davis Saturday night. (Staff photo by TOM HAINES/bigbendnow.com)
“But that’s being conservative,” said Jan Fulkerson, a spokeswoman with Texas Forest Service and a gate-keeper of official information on the fire.
Fulkerson said the so-called Rock House Fire, which began west of Marfa at approximately 1:30pm Saturday, now has the full response of local, state and federal agencies.
“This is the number one priority, not only in Texas, but in the U.S.,” Fulkerson said.
Five heavy tankers have been called in to make air drops on the fire as long as winds allow Sunday. The Asheville Hot Shots, a US Forest Service fire crew, arrived in Fort Davis from Arkansas at about 11am.
“They’re coming from all over the place,” Fulkerson said.
To the south, local and state crews were working to ensure that a fire line that ran northeast from Marfa yesterday does not flare up again. Gary Mitschke, Presidio County Emergency Services coordinator, said that the line west of Marfa appeared calm, but that the eastern flank was still of concern. Six bulldozers were working that area Sunday.
“Unless we get a complete wind shift out of the opposite direction, Marfa will be ok,” Mitschke said. “Right now we just need to be real cautious.”
Back in Fort Davis, residents returned to town Sunday morning after highways into Fort Davis reopened. Many people had stayed in town throughout the night to fight the fire and protect their homes.
Officials were urging citizens from outside Fort Davis to stay away, as there is repeated fire danger in the countryside again today, and crews in Fort Davis need room to work.
“We need clearance is what we need,” said Jeff Davis County Sheriff Rick McIvor. “The less traveling around town the better.”
Border Patrol agents were monitoring traffic to side streets to ensure only residents were in the area.
The fire chose seemingly random targets as it moved through the edges of town Saturday afternoon, burning certain houses while bypassing others. One stretch particularly hard hit was along Front Street, which runs east from Highway 17 just south of the center of Fort Davis. There, at least six homes burned and land was scorched in all directions.
Shane Trussell returned home to Front Street from Odessa yesterday just as the fire arrived, sometime after 4pm.
“It looked like somebody sprayed jet fuel and lit it. That’s how fast it went,” Trussell said as he walked near his home, which did not burn. “It was ungodly. It was unbelievable.”
Further up the street, Kyle Kerley described an escape he and his father Don made as flames raced down from a hilltop yesterday. Within minutes the fire had covered hundreds of yards and swept around their house.
“We drove through flames to get out of here,” Kyle Kerley said.
“I figured the house was going to be gone,” said Don Kerley.
The two joined crews in the center of town to fight the fire throughout the night. Yet Sunday morning they returned home, and the two men stood on a porch above a scorched lawn. Their home had been untouched.
“Best I can figure is tears of angels saved this right here,” Don Kerley said.
The fire began at approximately 1:30pm two miles west of Marfa, but ran north toward Fort Davis at a great speed.
At the Marfa command center Sunday morning, Mitschke reflected on his encounter with the fire at the peak of its raging yesterday afternoon. He had been at the entrance to Mano Prieto Estates when the fire jumped Highway 17.
“I respect fire and I was never as scared of it as I was then. It was a wave. It was a wave of fire,” Mitschke said. “There were cattle out there that got run off and burned. The last vision I had was a herd of aoudad running. That fire was outrunning them. I know they burned. No telling how many livestock were lost.”
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34 Responses to ““Tears of angels saved this right here”; Fort Davis reels and responds from fire; high winds pushing flames northward Sunday”
Thanks for letting us know Juan. We did not know how to get back to this site. We did mamage to communicate with Carlos sister. she gave us an update. Thank you and take care. frank Barrientos
My late husband (Bob Chesky) and I stayed at the Waterston’s Rocking W ranch north of Ft. Davis. I pray that all is well with them and the ranch. It was such a wonderful visit and experience at the ranch, and sadly, my husband passed away 3 1/2 months after our stay. Please let me know if Tom, his wife, and the three horses Psso, Spotty, and Red are o.k.
We are parents of a High Frontier student and would like to know the status of their whereabouts, have not heard from anyone since Sunday evening, know we are praying for all of them and everyone in Fort Davis and all areas affected by the fires. Please respond soon! Thank you!
Both are fine. We loaded some water for their animals yesterday. All property structures are fine also.
Fort Davis has been a place of happiness for my family and I since I was a baby. My grandparents (Clara and Earnest Carlton) lived in one of the homes on front street and unfortunatly that home was destroyed by flames. Though we will never forget the times we spent together there, my family members are deeply saddened to see this piece of our history destroyed. As many others who have faced this tragedy are now feeling the same way we are, my heart goes out to you and your families. I know there will be a lot of rebuilding. I would call on all of those near and dear to the area to support each other, call each other, provide comfort to each other and share memories with each other. The sadness will pass in time, but no one will ever forget these events. God Bless family and friends, God bless the memories, and God bless Fort Davis.
Does anyone know about the CDRI? Are the buildings ok?
Was in Ft. Davis today. Porter’s Grocery (formerly Baeza’s) was open after giving away all perishables free to the community when the power went off. Leroy Baeza’s house is miraculously intact with fire burning up to the chainlink fence in back and along both sides and the front. Fine people protected from above.
Don’t know about the Reinberg house but everything west of Main Street seems normal.
Does anyone know if the fire has spread toward or damaged the radio telescope at the Sproul Ranch north of Ft.Davis?
My husband and I are so sadden to hear about all the fires and great losses to the most beautiful town in Texas. We are just thankful no one was hurt or lost their lives. We have a property there and will be there soon. Our thoughts, hopes and prayers are with all of you.
Lilly and Rodney Witherspoon
Is there any truth to the news that the recent wind shift has put High Frontier and Ft Davis in harms way again?
Hi all, my sister Pamela Salcido lives in Fort Davis with her hubby Jimmy Salcido. they live right outside of town over by the fort. Does anyone know if their house servived??? My prayers go out to all Fort Davis people. May God be with you.
Thank you, Billy. Keep us posted.
Anyone know if the Baeza’s store and house are okay.
Also Jerry & Sandra Reinberg house is okay?
Thanks!
All of the High Frontier kids are safe and sound. They are being housed at a church here in Alpine. The High Frontier campus structures and buildings are fine. The campus is without water due to the fire burning up the well pump, and work is being done already to get this fixed. Just wanted everyone to know that the campus is fine and we’ll be moving back as soon as it is safe to do so.
My wife and I just heard of the ferocious fire and the great losses to the town of Fort Davis.
We are so glad to hear that no one has been burned or killed in the fire, but we know how many hearts are broken to lose their houses that represent so much heritage, hope, and history.
We learned that the Yarbroughs lost their house to the fire and are heartsick about it. If anyone knows how to contact them, the Yarbroughs should call us at (303) 741-2846.
I was stationed at Fort Davis NHS in the mid 1980s and my wife and I were married on the front porch of the Commanding Officer’s Quarters at the old Fort nearly 20 years ago.
Know that our hopes, thoughts, and prayers are with you.
Bill and Trish Gwaltney
I am a parent of a High Frontier student. I spoke to my son last night (Sunday), and it sounded like they were back at High Frontier. I am trying to get a status report this morning (Monday) and still get no answer at the school or the Jeff Davis County Emergency Operations line.
anybody have a status report as of Monday AM?
Thx
I’m very interested in your pictures, but I can’t open them. Will you please e-mail them to me? We own a house on Front Street and a cabin at Bloys Camp Meeting. Know anything specific about either? Thanks, Sandy sandyvanauken@yahoo.com
Hi Karen, I believe the Garza’s house is ok. Someone on Facebook referenced their house as to where the fire was, but did not mention any destruction. I don’t know if they are actually there or not. Sorry I don’t have more info.
Our vfds and other fire crews, our local LEOs, and the folks working on our utilities are absolute heros, it is amazing what they have accomplished in trying conditions. Thanks to all others for helping us with this disaster.
My pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?albumId=800474285310&ownerId=878261273110
Does anyone know about Becky and Carlos Garza who live on hwy 17 on the way to Balmorehea? We are worried about them.
Also, how about the dogs?
Hi Kimberley:
Do you know anything about the situation at High Frontier- buildings, critical infrastructure? Also, how about the dogs?
Cheers
Prayers are with all of you in Fort Davis and west Texas as you deal with these terrible fires. Thank you to all the people fighting the fires. God bless you.
I spoke to Scott Akers with the Border Patrol that assisted in the evacuation of the High Frontier kids. The kids were frightened, but are safe. I’m not sure where they are staying somewhere in Alpine I assume.
How is the Ranch and the school?
Hello Lari:
Are both boys and girls in the Alpine church? If not, where are the boys? Also
1. What’s the structural situation (essential infrastructure & buildings) at High Frontier?
2. How safe is Alpine at this point?
Thanks & cheers
The kids were safely evacuated Saturday evening to a church in Alpine.
The High Frontier kids are at Hillside Baptist Church in Alpine. All safe & accounted for.
There are NO words, only deep sorrow for your losses in Fort Davis and other neighboring areas. We love your city, and our prayers are with you all.
There are so words, only deep sorrow for your losses in Fort Davis and other neighboring areas. We love your city, and our prayers are with you all.
The HF students were taken to the Methodist Church in Alpine. They were moved there on Sat. evening.
The kids had been evacuated as of either early Sunday or early in the afternoon according to my sources in Fort Davis. The facility was in danger and the emergency vehicles got out there and cleared the place out.
Jeff Davis County emergency operations should know: 432.426.3900.
ANybody have an idea where the High Frontier kids are now? I’m wondering about them as I worry about Fort Davis, too. Any help needed?