Wildfire — Wheeler, Texas

2008-03-31 · Wheeler, Texas

Wider weather episode

A large wildfire began three miles west northwest of Kelton Texas about 1500 CST and burned approximately twelve hundred and fifty acres. Four homes saved'however two other structures were lost. A sixty-four year old Stinnett Texas man...a dozer operator from a private company helping to fight the wildfire...was killed when the wildfire overcame the dozer. Two Wheeler firefighters were trapped in the fire when their truck stalled and was overrun by the fire...however no injuries were reported. A catalytic converter on a vehicle was determined to be the cause of the wildfire...and the vehicle was destroyed by the fire. The occupants of the vehicle escaped uninjured. Thirteen fire departments...including the Texas Forest Service...were involved in the response efforts...and the wildfire was contained around 2145 CST.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 88127. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.