Colorado Co. fires consume 380 acres

Local crews amongst 34 departments on scene

  • The Dry Rice Fire consumes dry land in Colorado County this week, contributing to 326 total acres impacted. Photo Courtest Shiner Fire Department Facebook.
    The Dry Rice Fire consumes dry land in Colorado County this week, contributing to 326 total acres impacted. Photo Courtest Shiner Fire Department Facebook.
  • A helicopter releases water to extinguish a large grass fire this week in Colorado County. Photo Courtesy Shiner Fire Department Facebook.
    A helicopter releases water to extinguish a large grass fire this week in Colorado County. Photo Courtesy Shiner Fire Department Facebook.
  • A firefighter extinguishes flames at the scene of the Dry RIce Fire south of Columbus this week. Photo Courtesy Columbus Fire Department.
    A firefighter extinguishes flames at the scene of the Dry RIce Fire south of Columbus this week. Photo Courtesy Columbus Fire Department.
  • A single-engine aircraft tanker (SEAT) assists with a large grass fire impacting Colorado County this week. Photo Courtesy Columbus Fire Department.
    A single-engine aircraft tanker (SEAT) assists with a large grass fire impacting Colorado County this week. Photo Courtesy Columbus Fire Department.

    Several Lavaca County crews were amongst the 34 departments on the scene for two wildfires that consumed more than 380 acres in Colorado County over multiple days this week, according to Texas A&M Forest Service and local departments.

     

    Local crews responded for mutual aid with the Dry Rice Fire in the neighboring county to the north at approximately 2 p.m. Monday, July 11, stated a Shiner Fire Department Facebook post. The large grass fire in the area of CR 103 and Hwy 71 was initially reported by Columbus VFD as affecting 50 to 60 acres, though it eventually spread to impact 326 acres.

     

    “Thank you to the Lavaca County Fire Departments and surrounding agencies that made the call for assistance in Colorado County at the Dry Rice Fire,” wrote Colorado County Judge Ty Prause Monday.

     

    In his message, Prause thanked Hallettsville VFD, Moulton VFD, Shiner Fire Department, Lavaca County OEM, Sweet Home VFD, Yoakum VFD, and all other agencies and departments that were available to assist or donate supplies.

     

    “While most of Colorado County Fire Departments were at the Dry Rice Fire, Hallettsville VFD assisted and provided additional mutual aid at a structure fire near Bernardo/Cat Spring,” wrote Prause. “Thank you isn't enough.”

     

    While crews continued to monitor the Dry Rice Fire July 12, Columbus VFD responded to another grassfire on FM806. A CVFD Facebook post stated that a lightning strike caused the fire that eventually consumed 55 acres. No inures or structure loss were reported.