Wildfire — Palo Pinto, Texas

2011-08-30 to 2011-08-31 · Palo Pinto, Texas

Event narrative

The 101 Ranch fire began on August 30th south of Possum Kingdom Lake on the east side of Highway 16. The fire burned to the north, jumped the highway and burned into the Gaines Bend and Cliffs Subdivisions. It was finally controlled on October 11th after burning 6555 acres. The fire burned 39 homes in the Cliffs and Gaines Bend. The guard shack, the pro shop, and the front office to the Cliffs also burned, and nine recreational vehicles were lost in the fire. One person suffered minor burns and two firefighters sustained minor ankle injuries.

Wider weather episode

Elevated fire weather conditions persisted for most of the month due to the extreme heat and the ongoing historic drought. Many wildfires occurred during the month burning over 40,000 acres of land, several homes, and lots of personal property. From the 26th through the 31st, there were 9 grass fires that caused damage. Most of these fires continued to burn into September. On the 30th, the 101 Fire began in Palo Pinto County near Possum Kingdom Lake. This fire burned 39 homes in the Cliffs and Gaines Bend subdivisions and another 9 recreational vehicles. In Coryell County, a 525-acre fire burned in the far eastern portions of the county, a 1635-acre fire burned near Evant, and another 3700-acre fire burned on the grounds of Fort Hood. A 400-acre fire in Wise County burned 5 homes, and a 2314-acre fire burned 3 homes in Anderson County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 342312. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.