Fire damage up to 42,000 acres
June 22, 2011
Image of the White Hat fire in Nolan County (Photo by Lisa Fitzgerald)
According to Sweetwater Fire Chief Grant Madden, the White Hat fire in Nolan County is slowing down and getting more and more under control as local and state firefighters battle the blaze. A slight rain on Tuesday evening helped firefighters in places that could not be reached. Madden stated that the Texas Forest service estimates that the fire has burned about 65,000 acres. According to the Texas Forest Service, the fire is 30 percent contained. There have been voluntary evacuations around the Maryneal community. Heavy airtankers and single-engine airtankers dropped on this fire and the fire received an FMAG (Fire Management Assistance Grant). The fire has claimed at least 12 structures including homes and hunting cabins.
