Wildfire — Palo Pinto, Texas

2011-04-09 to 2011-04-29 · Palo Pinto, Texas

Event narrative

The Hohertz fire began in southwest Palo Pinto County, approximately 9 miles northwest of Strawn. The local newspaper reported an arching power line started the fire in a pasture. Early on, some deer stands and oil field equipment were burned. On April 15th, this fire merged with the PK West Fire in Stephens County and the fires were renamed the PK Complex. On April 17th, the PK East fire in Palo Pinto County burned into this complex, and on April 19th, the Jackson Ranch Fire in Stephens County also joined this complex. In all, 126,734 acres were burned by this complex of four fires, 167 homes were destroyed, 2 churches were destroyed, and another 124 outbuildings were lost.

Wider weather episode

The Possum Kingdom Fire Complex consisted of four separate wildfires that merged into one large complex due to critical fire weather conditions and windy days. The four fires were the Possum Kingdom West Fire, the Possum Kingdom East Fire, the Hohertz Fire, and the Jackson Ranch Fire. In all, 126,734 acres were burned by this complex, 167 homes and 2 churches were destroyed, and another 124 outbuildings were lost. Most of the destroyed homes were on the south and west sides of Possum Kingdom Lake, and 90% of Possum Kingdom State Park was torched. In addition, several heads of cattle were killed by the fires and many more were burned or injured. The estimated damage from these fires was over $150 million, and the Texas Forestry Service estimated the cost to fight the fire was over $11 million.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 294293. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.