Containment continues for Smokehouse Creek, Windy Deuce and Grape Vine Creek fires in Texas 

The Smokehouse Creek, Windy Deuce and Grape Vine Creek Fire information was updated on the inciweb.nwcg.gov website, and acre numbers have been adjusted.  

According to the March 5 update, the Smokehouse Creek Fire is at 1,059,570 acres and is rated at 37% contained. It began Feb. 26 about a mile north of Stinnett, Texas. The Windy Deuce fire is 144,206 acres and is 55% contained. This fire is located near and between Masterson and Fritch City, Texas. The Grape Vine Creek fire is rated at 34,882 acres and is the closest to being contained at 60%. This fire began Feb. 26 and is southwest and east of Lefors, Texas. 

The report indicated the Smokehouse Creek fire acres were reduced after additional data collection and more accurate mapping was reviewed. Additional portions of the map indicated where the fire is now contained.  

Firefighters continue to monitor and respond to unburned pockets within the fire perimeter that have been flaring up, while also continuing to mop up. Ten bulldozers, along with 58 fire engines, will assist ground personnel and continue to construct fire lines where needed. The northern perimeter of the fire features many canyons and gulches that continue to be concerns as they have significant timbered areas that still hold heat. Aerial resources are still available to all of these fires. 

For March 5, the Windy Deuce fire officials will focus on the McBride Canyon area on the western perimeter, where there is still significant heat. Reports indicate crews will continue to construct and strengthen lines and mop up hot spots. Bulldozers will build and strengthen control lines. 

Five fire engines are working to cool and control flare-ups at the Grape Vine Creek Fire as they happen and mop up hot spots near the perimeter and interior. According to the report, crews will continue working near the east end of the fire to hold the current footprint of the fire. Fire engines from this incident provided mutual aid to a new 30-acre fire that started yesterday near Groom, Texas. 

A cold front March 4 helped moderate burning conditions and allow crews to make progress with mopping up. Relative humidity levels ranged from 21 to 26% and overnight levels from 65 to75% are giving firefighters the head start they need. According to the report, “Fire still has the potential to move at 1 mph and burn 300 acres in an hour with flame lengths in tall thick grass up to 8 to 12 feet during the peak period of the day. Overall, burn conditions are markedly improved, and the ability to fight fire on the ground is greatly enhanced.” 

There are burn bans in effect for the following: Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Hemphill, Roberts, Potter, Moore and Gray counties. Visit tfsweb.tamu.edu/TexasBurnBans for more information on the bans. 

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Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].