Wildfire — Hutchinson, Texas

2014-05-11 to 2014-05-14 · Hutchinson, Texas

Wider weather episode

The Double Diamond Wildfire began around 1520CST in Hutchinson county about two miles northwest of Fritch near the Harbor Bay area of Lake Meredith National Recreational Area. The wildfire consumed an estimated two thousand five hundred and eighty-three acres and was caused by a child playing with matches in an abandoned shed. A total of three hundred and sixty-eight structures were damaged or lost including two hundred and twenty-five homes that were destroyed along with one hundred and forty-three other structures. Also, a total of one hundred and forty-seven vehicles were destroyed. There was one report of a fatality from a heart attack that was indirectly related to the wildfire, however there were no reports of any injuries. The wildfire reportedly cased an estimated ten million or more dollars in property losses. The wildfire was finally contained between 1000CST to 1100CST on May 14. There were a total of thirty-seven fire departments that responded to the wildfire including the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 509182. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.