MERIT, Texas - Firefighters from multiple North Texas departments worked together Saturday afternoon to contain a rapidly spreading grass fire that ultimately burned an estimated 45 acres in Hunt County.
According to the Celeste Volunteer Fire Department, Station 23 was dispatched at approximately 4 p.m. on Aug. 8 to assist the Merit Volunteer Fire Department with a mutual aid grass fire in its primary response district.
The first arriving Merit firefighters found an estimated four to five acres burning in high winds. After arriving on scene, Command 123 established Ferguson Road Command.
As the fire spread rapidly, incident commanders upgraded the response to a second alarm, bringing in additional firefighters and equipment from the Farmersville Fire Department, Caddo Mills Fire Rescue, Blue Ridge Fire Department and Hunt County Emergency Corps.
Fire crews brought the blaze under control within the first hour of operations. The fire ultimately scorched approximately 45 acres, with firefighters remaining on scene for about three and a half hours to complete suppression efforts.
Busy Day for Station 23
The large grass fire was just one of several emergency calls handled by Celeste Volunteer Fire Department crews throughout the day.
Earlier Saturday morning, at approximately 5 a.m., Engine 123 responded to a residential fire alarm on County Road 1134.
While firefighters were responding to the large mutual aid wildfire, Brush 123 was simultaneously dispatched to another grass fire on County Road 1145. Crews found multiple extinguished spot fires that were caused by a broken underground propane line. The homeowner had already extinguished the flames before firefighters arrived.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., Rescue 123 responded to a medical emergency.
Around 5 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to an outside smoke investigation near the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and Farm-to-Market Road 903. Brush 123 determined the smoke was coming from two controlled burns, and crews found no immediate hazards.
Celeste Volunteer Fire Department praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in bringing the large grass fire under control while continuing to respond to additional emergencies throughout the day.
