Top Stories
Concert-goers get prepped with fire, safety information
April 21st, 2011
By STERRY BUTCHER
MARFA – The 1,800 concert-goers attending this weekend’s Railroad Revival Tour will arrive with knowledge about Marfa, its fire situation, and plenty of do’s and don’ts while they’re in town.
“I’m really impressed,” County Judge Paul Hunt said this week. “This is an example of a new way of communicating – their ticket holders …
Forecaster: no relief from dry spell until summer
April 21st, 2011
By STERRY BUTCHER
FAR WEST TEXAS – As of Monday, Marfa will have gone seven months without rain.
The last precipitation recorded in Marfa was September 25, according to the National Weather Service. The Weather Service doesn’t have records posted for Presidio, but it’s pretty safe to say that Presidio – indeed, the entirety of the Big …
Silver mine wastewater brings flow of questions
April 21st, 2011
By TOM HAINES
SHAFTER – In the filing for an amendment to a wastewater permit for the Shafter Silver Mine, the issue of water discharge can seem pretty simple.
On page one of the technical report for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which asks for a description of how water will be pumped from the former …
State Fire Marshal: Electrical malfunction sparked Rock House Fire
April 19th, 2011
MARFA – Investigator John Kondratick of the State Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that an electrical malfunction ignited the Rock House Fire, the blaze that began at approximately 1:30pm and so far has burned 191,000 acres. Ten days later, the fire remains only 75 percent contained.
In a report sent yesterday to Gary Mitschke, Presidio County …
Rock House 70% contained; crews conduct burnout to protect McDonald Observatory
April 18th, 2011
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY - Firefighters were planning to focus Monday on the northwest flank of the Rock House fire, which was projected to move into Bob Manning Canyon north of Fort Davis. The fire remained 70 percent contained, as of Sunday night.
Burnout operations were also going to be conducted Monday to place a protection buffer between …
Mapping the fire
April 15th, 2011
Map by Dr. Kevin Urbanczyk
Dr. Kevin Urbanczyk and the Sul Ross State University Geographic Information Systems component have been mapping the fire, which helps firefighters and first responders, especially those from out of the area, coordinate crews and communicate updates.
Coming up with maps that combine satellite imagery, topographic, meteorological, and on-the-ground …
Fire relief: How to help
April 14th, 2011
Fort Davis folks organizing donations and fundraising want to spread the word that they have all the clothing, toiletries, food and other short-term supplies that families who lost homes and others affected by the fire will need. Ten tables are stacked with such items in the basement of the Presbyterian Church and locals are welcome …
County works with El Cosmico on upcoming event’s fire safety
April 14th, 2011
By STERRY BUTCHER
PRESIDIO COUNTY – Talk of the Rock House fire dominated the start of Tuesday’s commissioners’ court meeting at the courthouse in Marfa.
“It was unstoppable,” County Judge Paul Hunt said of the fire, which began just west of Marfa last Saturday and streaked to Fort Davis and beyond. “It was 30 yards of fire …
Fire still 60% contained, high winds prolong the battle
April 14th, 2011
By EMILY JO CURETON
FORT DAVIS – As of Thursday afternoon, the Rock House fire that began at a former rock shop outside of Marfa on Saturday afternoon continues to blaze along 12 miles of ravaged earth between Boy Scout Ranch Road south of Balmorhea and Hells Canyon off of Hwy 17 north, stubbornly resisting …
Fire 60% contained, crews gaining ground
April 14th, 2011
By EMILY JO CURETON
FORT DAVIS – As of Wednesday afternoon, the Rock House fire continues to blaze along 12 miles of ravaged earth between Boy Scout Ranch Road south of Balmorhea and Hells Canyon off of Hwy 17 north, stubbornly resisting the efforts of hundreds of firefighters, Texas Forest Service (TFS) rangers, airdrops, bulldozers, and …
