Grass fire burning in Wise County now 70% contained
RUNAWAY BAY, Texas - Crews are working to put out what’s left of a grass fire in Wise County, northwest of Fort Worth. And the residents who were asked to evacuate are now back in their homes.
Firefighters worked through the night in Runaway Bay to put out hot spots from a large grass fire that started around 1 p.m. Wednesday.
By 3 p.m., the fire had moved northeast and scorched about 80 acres.
"We've got some new guys that have never been in grassfires, and it's pretty scary when you see trees 5 feet from you go up in flames. They just torch off. And you're sitting right in the line of fire, and trying to get out as quick as you can," said Joel Yates, the assistant fire chief in Runaway Bay.
Emergency management officials evacuated some neighborhoods heading toward Lake Bridgeport on Highway 380.
The firefighters worked to create a containment line to protect homes. That was not easy because of the extreme heat and strong winds.
"When it got up to the big houses and stuff, we said if it comes this far, that's as far as it's going. We made a stand. And we made a stand here too so these houses wouldn't get taken," said Wayne Wall with the Runaway Bay Fire Department. "We had so much help. It was incredible. Air support rocked it. If they wouldn't have been here, this would have been a giant mess. Giant mess. But they helped us get it under control."
The people who had to evacuate were allowed to return home a little after 8 p.m.
Yates was in Mesquite Wednesday afternoon. When he got the initial call about the fire, he said he rushed back home knowing what his fellow firefighters were about to take on.
"Since I’m the assistant chief… all my guys… sorry. We’re a small fire department. We’re family. And these things can get really bad. And this one was," he said while getting emotional.
Crews battle brush fire near homes in Krum
Video from SKY 4 show the flames are not far from homes in the area.
The crews worked into the night to put out smoldering material. They were expected to return Thursday morning to continue the fight.
The fire is said to be about 70% contained.
A second smaller fire in the county is burning just south of Rhome on Highway 287. It spans about 15 acres and is 95% contained.
Wise County will remain under a red flag warning until early Friday morning.