COCONUT FIRE
Size: 15,000 acres
Containment: 5%
Cause: Unknown
Date Started: May 17, 2022

State resources from Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) continue to work on the Coconut Fire today, along with mutual aid resorces from sorrunding counties.  Dozers continue to construct and improve control lines. Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT), Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT), and Air Attack (AA) are supporting the ground crews with retardant drops over the active fire line to allow for the engine crew to engage with fire suppression operations, and securing the control lines. Winds are expected to increase this afternoon and the forecast the wind to shift from the south. These conditions will lead to high to extreme fire danger for today. Resources are ready to respond to any initial attack if the need arises. 

Injuries

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 17, a Texas A&M Forest Service firefighter received multiple burn injuries while working on the Coconut Fire in Wilbarger County. A thunderstorm developed near the fire area, causing erratic winds and a sudden change in fire behavior. A downburst from the thunderstorm caused the fire to erupt, and impacted personnel working the fire. One firefighter was injured, receiving burns from radiant heat. The individual was taken to the hospital where they were treated and released. No other firefighters were injured. Our thoughts are with the injured firefighter, their family and friends as well as all personnel involved.
 
Remember not to fly your personal drones because, If You Fly-We Can't.  

Final Update

This will be the final update for the Mesquite Heat Fire unless the situation changes dramatically.

The Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team will transition the Mesquite Heat Fire back to the Texas A&M Forest Service at 6 p.m. today.

Incident Commander Debbie Beard would like to thank the Texas A&M Forest Service, local fire departments and many other cooperators and resources who have supported operations since the Gold Team assumed command last Friday. She also wants to thank the residents in the local community for their hospitality during the team’s stay.

Current Situation

The Mesquite Heat Fire remains at 10,960 acres and is 93% contained.

Yesterday, firefighters on the northern end of the fire made sure the perimeter was cold around the residences because of the increased temperatures and wind. Two smokes were observed inside the fire’s perimeter, but fire behavior was minimal.

Today, resources will report for their final shift. They will monitor, reinforce containment lines, observe and seek out hotspots. The Type 3 helicopter assigned to the fire also will be released at 6 p.m.

Fire danger remains high during the day so aerial and ground-based resources will be ready to respond to any new starts.

Weather

A Red Flag Warning and Heat Advisory has been issued for the fire area today. Temperatures will rise to near 102 degrees with relative humidity as low as 13-16%. Southerly winds will increase to 25-30 mph with gusts of up to 40-45 mph. Slightly cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity will move into the area on Monday. Increasing moisture will then lead to cooler temperatures and partly cloudy skies through the end of the week.

Resources

Assigned resources include 122 personnel, a Type 3 helicopter, three engines and five dozers. Most of those resources will be released at 6 p.m. when the Gold Team turns the incident back to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Current Situation

The Mesquite Heat Fire remains at 10,960 acres. However, containment increased to 92%.

Smoke was visible from a few hot spots in the fire’s interior and debris piles along the eastern edge, which firefighters soaked with water. A Hotshot Crew checked for heat along the eastern edge of the fire and found nothing.

As near critical and near red flag weather conditions return to the area today and tomorrow, firefighters are prepared for initial attack. Any new fires would spread quickly as fuels are dry and winds will be near 20-25 mph. Resources assigned to initial attack will maintain high levels of situational awareness and respond appropriately according to local, current conditions.

Today, firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up, as well as widen, improve and increase containment lines. They also will be ready to respond to any new starts. The anticipated fire completion date is May 30, 2022.

A Type 3 helicopter is still assigned to the fire and remains available to assist with increased activity and/or initial attack.

Weather

Hotter and drier than normal conditions will lead to near critical fire weather concerns on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected to form off a dryline (boundary between moist and dry air masses) to the west and could bring outflow boundaries or gust fronts over the fire late Saturday afternoon. High temperatures will be near 100 degrees and relative humidity will be low at 15-20%. Southerly winds will increase to 20-25 mph.

Similar weather will persist on Sunday with a high around 100 degrees and afternoon relative humidity near 15%. Southerly winds will increase to 25-30 mph.

Resources

Assigned resources include 169 personnel, a Type 3 helicopter, five engines and five dozers.

Current Situation

Containment of the Mesquite Heat Fire increased to 74 percent thanks to ongoing firefighter efforts.  

Night operations patrolled the area again last night with no concerns. That was the final night shift for this fire unless the situation changes significantly. Firefighters put water on debris piles that were exhibiting some smoke yesterday. They also continued to extend containment lines.  

Fuels are starting to dry out and are expected to continue that trend as hot, dry weather moves into the area.  

Crews flew an unmanned aircraft system (UAS or drone) equipped with an infrared camera over the southern section of the fire yesterday and did not find any significant hotspots.  

Today, firefighters will continue to patrol the fire, ensuring the containment lines are cold and holding. Some debris piles will continue to smoke, and a rare juniper may flare up, but no fire spread is anticipated. Crews are preparing for the incoming weather by widening containment lines to up to a chain (66 feet) wide and patrolling for and extinguishing hotspots in preparation for this weekend’s weather. 

A Type 3 helicopter is still assigned to the fire. Fixed-wing aircraft are also available on request.  

Weather   

Today will begin with a period of warming and drying, with highs near 90 and afternoon relative humidity falling to near 20 percent.  This trend is expected to continue this weekend as highs reach near or above 100 and afternoon relative humidity values fall below 20 percent. Elevated winds and dry, hot conditions will result in near-critical fire weather concerns on Sunday. 
   

Resources  

Assigned resources remain steady at 247 personnel, a Type 3 helicopter, 28 engines, a tractor plow and nine dozers.  

Current Situation

Yesterday, firefighters increased containment of the Mesquite Heat Fire to 63 percent. The decrease in acreage to 10,960 is due to more accurate mapping as crews continue to validate and improve upon existing control lines.

Most of the fire received 0.5 inch of rain yesterday. Night operations patrolled the area last night and found no heat near residences or roadways. Some smoke is coming from push piles, but firefighters will work to address those today. Fuels are too wet to carry fire. Crews flew an unmanned aircraft system (UAS or drone) over the western section of the fire yesterday looking for hotspots. A few smokes were spotted inside the containment lines, but those are not expected to spread. Today, firefighters will continue similar work to yesterday, including lengthening and widening containment lines, connecting gaps where needed and keeping the fire inside the perimeter. Mop up and patrol will continue along the northern, western and southern edges, as will construction of containment lines with heavy equipment.

Weather

Temperatures will rise into the high 80s today with northwest winds at 15-20 mph, gusting to 25 mph. Minimum relative humidity will be near 30 percent. A noticeable warming and drying trend will start Thursday with highs back near 90. Northwest winds will be near 10 mph as relative humidity falls to 25 percent. The heat and dryness continue to build into the weekend with high temperatures of 102-105 and minimum relative humidity falling to near 10 percent. Red flag warnings are expected.

Resources

Assigned resources include 247 personnel, a Type 3 helicopter, 28 engines, a tractor plow and nine dozers.