- Serving the citizens of Aransas County with pride and professionalism -
Established 1885
PHOTOS FROM THE RATTLESNAKE POINT ROAD BRUSH FIRE
TAKEN FROM LITTLE SAN ANTONIO STREET FACING EAST
(Not bad from an iphone)
- Brush fire burns 75+ acres -
Story from the Rockport Pilot
Dry grass and a hot muffler are a bad mix. They were the cause of a large brush fire which burned more than 75 acres Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 21. The fire started near the end of Janecek Road, jumped across Rattlesnake Point Road, and was finally snuffed out at the south edge of E. Sagebrush Drive.
The Rockport, Fulton, and Lamar volunteer fire departments were paged initially, but when it was all over, firefighters from Refugio, Bayside, Woodsboro, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, and Gregory had all responded to the scene. A Department of Public Safety helicopter provided eyes in the sky for firefighters below, helping direct them to hot spots, and areas where structures were being threatened.
None of the 40-plus homes which were threatened by the flames were damaged.
“It was a huge, coordinated effort,” said Aransas County Fire Marshal Rick McLester. “We were all out of bullets (water) on two occasions and the cavalry (area fire departments) showed up at the right time.
“It just all fell into place.”
He pointed out Aransas County Independent School District transportation officials, under the direction of Jimmy Kendrick, made sure all students who were on buses at the time were taken safely back to school property. “They ran a late route, (after the danger had passed), and made sure all the kids got home,” said McLester.
The Aransas County Sheriff's Office, as well as the Rockport Police Department aided in traffic control, and helped direct homeowners in and out of the area. McLester said the extension of Sagebrush, a recently constructed additional ingress/egress route in the area, really came in handy during the fire.
“Rattlesnake Point Road was clogged with emergency equipment and personnel,” said McLester. “The extension of Sagebrush allowed people to get in and out.” He and the state fire marshal interviewed the Janecek Road homeowner who admitted to being the source of the fire.
McLester said the homeowner, as well as a witness, said the homeowner was using his riding lawnmower when dry grass came into contact with the machine's muffler. “There was no criminal intent,” said McLester. “The homeowner tried to put out the flames himself, but it got out of control.” Aransas County is suffering from drought conditions. The high winds Wednesday only fueled the fire.
The initial call was received about 3 p.m. Wednesday, but firefighters had to return about 3 a.m. Thursday, and again at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The fire Thursday afternoon was quickly contained, but could have easily gotten out of control like the one the day before.
More than 10,000 gallons of water was used to fight the blaze.
Dear Editor:
I thank all the firefighters who assisted in Wednesday's (Jan. 21) fire
around Rattlesnake Point Road.
They worked tirelessly to keep that massive blaze away from so many homes and people. Thank you.
Also, this should serve as a reminder we are in a drought here in the Coastal Bend, and every little thing can
trigger a fire. My husband put a small fire out in Copano Heights two weeks ago. It was burning in a ditch from
what appeared to be a thrown-out cigarette butt. If he had not seen the smoke coming from that ditch,
all of the land around that ditch could have caught fire. Please, let's be careful. And thank you once again
fire departments.
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Dear Editor:
I am a resident of Rattlesnake Point Road and I express my heartfelt gratitude to our brave firefighters, police and EMS workers.
I witnessed the brush fire on Wednesday Jan. 21 and Thursday Jan. 22. Our home and many others would certainly have been burned, but for the dedication and heroism of these brave men. And I realize that it was just another day of service for them. Thank-you all so much.
©2010 Rockport Volunteer Fire Department
S.F.F.M.A.