Over 10,000-acre Dempsey fire blazes in Palo Pinto County

As of Monday, an estimated 11,598-acre wildfire continued to burn in Palo Pinto County south of Graford as firefighters both in Palo Pinto County and surrounding counties as well as the Texas A&M Forest Service continue efforts to suppress the fire.

The fire began Thursday, June 23 approximately 10 miles south of Graford. Texas A&M Forest Service reported they received a request for assistance on the wildfire from Palo Pinto County at approximately 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Departments from Palo Pinto, Parker, Erath, Jack, Young County and more have been assisting with suppression efforts.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reported at 9 p.m. Thursday that the Dempsey fire was estimated to be 500 acres and 15% of the perimeter contained. The following day the fire increased in size and was estimated to 6,500 acres and 12% of the perimeter contained as reported at 9:06 p.m. Friday, June 24. On Saturday, June 25 the department reported the fire had grown again to an estimated 8,000 acres with 12% of the perimeter contained.

“Texas A&M Forest Service is working in unified command with officials from Palo Pinto County. The agency is responding with personnel from across the state including 5 task forces with engines and dozers, frontline supervisors and overhead, and suppression aircraft. Aviation on scene includes a DC10, 4 large airtankers, 3 fire boss single engine air tankers and 2 helicopters,” Texas A&M Forest Service wrote Saturday.

The Jack County Rural Fire Department posted on their Facebook page Friday, June 24 that they had “a couple of crews” providing mutual aid to other crews working on the fire.

A temporary flight restriction was enacted for the Dempsey fire Saturday to provide a safe environment for the firefighting aircraft in the area from June 27-July 1. The Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office stated Saturday, June 25 on their Facebook page that the fire had neared FM 4 and Grassy Ridge Road where it eventually jumped FM 4.

“The Dempsey Fire ignited approximately 10 miles south of Graford, Texas in Palo Pinto County on June 23, 2022. The fire ignited under hot, dry and windy conditions in dry to critically dry vegetation. The fire has been resistant to firefighters' suppression efforts and is exhibiting extreme fire activity,” Texas A&M Forest Service wrote Saturday. “The fire has jumped the Brazos River in multiple places and has also moved across FM Road 4 and Fortune Bend Road.”

The FM 4 road was eventually reopened Sunday, according to Texas A&M Forest Service. The wildfire as of Monday morning was estimated to be 11,597 acres and had 27% of the perimeter contained. The Texas A&M Texas Forest Service as of Monday had not determined the cause of the wildfire. Dozers were continuing to construct containment lines while engines patrol containment lines to prevent spot fire over the fire line and perform structure protection, according to Texas A&M Texas Forest Service. Aircraft were continuing to support the ground resources with retardant drops.

Texas A&M Texas Forest Service stated Friday that the wildfire prompted evacuations of the area, but as of Monday, no evacuations had been issued for the city of Graford. PPCSO put out a notice on their Facebook page June 24 stating evacuations were encouraged in the areas north of Hwy. 180, south of Hwy. 254, east of FM 4 and west of Hwy. 337. PPCSO stated that residents of Graford were encouraged to pre-plan for evacuation.

Rain came through the Young County and Palo Pinto County areas Sunday which Tex as A&M Forest Service stated helped with the fire suppression efforts.

“The precipitation was beneficial to the fire, overnight crews identified, and mitigated hot spots throughout the night,” the department stated in an update Monday. “Resources are back and working on improving control lines and mop up any areas of concern. Early this morning, local responders mitigated a single tree lightning strike that occurred to the Southwest of the fire. Resources are ready to respond to any initial attack if the need arises. Aviation will be performing recon flights to identify any areas that might be holding any heat and coordinating with ground crews areas of concern.”

According to a Jack County Emergency Management post from Saturday, June 25, local officials are keeping an eye on the situation.

“We are monitoring the situation of the Demspey Fire in Palo Pinto County. If the fire reaches the limits of threatening Jack County, be advised we will make an alert available to those in the area of danger. Please stay out of that area of Palo Pinto County, so fire fighters can work safely,” the post stated.