10:35pm CST on June 24, 2022

The Dempsey Fire 6 miles west of Mineral Wells, Texas was very active on Friday afternoon, rising to nearly 6,500 acres as the temperature soared to 106 degrees. The Texas Forest Service reported that it ran to the north and northwest, jumping on the Brazos River and FM Road.

Engines were used to protect the hull as bulldozers create a line along the sides of the fire. Airplanes help firefighters by cooling the head and wings, slowing the rate of deployment and buying time for firefighters. Evacuations are in effect south of Grassy Ridge Road.

After 2 p.m. on Friday, the winds at Mineral Wells Airport were from the south and southeast at 10 to 18 mph at 20 to 30 while the relative humidity was 17 percent. Friday night’s weather forecast calls for 7 to 12 mph winds from the south and southeast with humidity rising to 50 percent at dawn. Saturday will be winds from the south at 10 to 15 mph with 18 percent relative humidity and a high temperature of 105. These weather conditions will cause the fire to continue spreading to the north and northwest.

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author: Bill Jabert
After working full-time in prairie fires for 33 years, he continues to learn, striving to be a student of fire. Looking at all of Bill Gabert’s posts