With multiple fires scattered around Levelland and parts of Hockley County, a group effort with multiple fire departments worked through the intense dust storm that resulted in minimal visibility throughout the day.
A cooperative effort between the Levelland and Hockley County Emergency Coordinator Cole Kirkland, command staff and available resources allowed for the group to battle grass fires that began Sunday afternoon into the evening.
The Levelland Fire Department and Kirkland responded to the area of FM 300 and Kelly Road.
With high wind speeds and plenty of field to burn in its path, fire units struggled to keep up with the speed of the fire.
With the Kirkland explained that a 15 degree wind change to the northwest pushed the fire which was either luck, a blessing or both.
“We reached a point where if the fire managed to jump the road at FM 300 we were going to have to start the process of evacuating the residents west of Levelland,” explained Kirkland. “If the fire had reached Evening Tower there is nothing but open field that has been fuel loaded with the amount of dry grass.”
With the aid of the wind change and mutual aid from the Whiteface Fire Department and Sundown Fire Department, the crews were able to get a handle on the fire.
Additional fire spots included a large grass fire near the Pep area approaching Yellow House and Canyon Ranch.
Kirkland explained that the wind change aided the fire near FM 300, but that affected the fire near Pep. While traveling quickly to assist with fire personnel near the Pep area, Kirkland was able to mobilize more units in case of an increase in the fire’s intensity.
Luckily, the fire had dropped into a ravine and the Sudan Fire Department took care of the fire.
Levelland FD continued to contain the FM 300 fire along side Whiteface FD and Sundown FD units to wrap up the fire.
A small grass fire broke out next to the Levelland Airport that was handled quickly additional Levelland FD units to maintain both areas.
With the winds settling roughly around 2 a.m., no injuries to civilians or fire personnel were reported as well as minimal to no damage to the service equipment used.
With the aid of the Texas Forestry Service and the mutual aid from the surrounding fire departments and commissioners of Hockley County who aided in the efforts, 33 personnel and 18 assets were on scene
With state services being required during the fires, a name has to be designated for the event and the name decided was the Coble Switch Fire.
