More than 30 agencies are joining forces to battle the Chalk Mountain wildfire in Somervell County near Glen Rose. The wildfire has covered more than 6,000 acres and destroyed 16 homes. Governor Greg Abbott visited Glen Rose to meet with local officials and to sign a new disaster declaration. The Governor says he's glad there have been no fatalities.
"You can face a fire and see that your property may be lost. But the most important thing you have is your life. We are proud of the way that people have responded to this fire...that has eliminated the loss of any life whatsoever," Gov. Abbott said. "There are people who are in need of support - people who have lost their homes, lost their belongings. In typical Texas fashion, there are many people who are stepping up to help out."
The Red Cross is taking donations. First Financial Bank has also set up a fund. Donations can be made to the "LDL Relief Fund".
The community opened a shelter for wildfire evacuees at the Somervell County Expo Center. No one was using the shelter Saturday afternoon and it's scheduled to close Saturday evening.
Crews are making progress in their effort to improve containment of the fire, but they're worried that the hot, dry weather conditions could deal them a setback in the next few days.
"Weather conditions are going to try to make that fire escape," said Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. "The local firefighters here on the ground will do everything they can to keep it inside that current perimeter. The fire has a good line around it right now, we have enough assets here to keep it inside that fire line. But at any given moment, we need to understand that weather conditions could deteriorate, or we could have a pop-out fire, or we could have another fire start."
He's urging everyone in Texas to continue to practice fire safety to avoid starting any additional wildfires.
