Dateline: April 20, 2006

Wildfire threatens community of Lelia Lake

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County burned again last Saturday when high winds slapped electric lines into tree branches near the old Chamberlain community.

Clarendon First Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Powell estimated 2,260 acres were lost in the latest blaze, which started about 3:30 p.m. near County Road 13.

“We did not lose any structures or outbuildings, but probably six houses were directly threatened,” Powell said.

The fire burned across County Road 14, jumped FM 1260, and also jumped part of County Road 17 before being contained about one-half mile from the Lelia Lake community at 11:30 p.m.

“We were getting close to issuing an evacuation order for Lelia Lake,” Powell said.

In addition to help from Hedley and Howardwick fire departments, mutual aid was brought in from fire departments in Claude, Groom, Memphis, Shamrock, Wheeler, Allison, Pampa, and Mobeetie. Donley County motorgraders and local ranches also assisted.

The Texas Forest Service dispatched two tanker planes and one helicopter to help douse the flames. Powell also noted that Evans Fertilizer, Larry Helms, and Chancey Cruse gave assistance is fighting the fire.

County officials are still reminding everyone that a burn ban is still in full force, and they say it does include outdoor barbecue grills – even those that use propane.

Local authorities are making no exceptions in enforcing the ban. Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn told the Enterprise more than a dozen citations had been written at Greenbelt Lake alone last weekend.