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Goodfellow responds to Wildcat fire

  • Published
  • By Connie Hempel
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As dense smoke from the nearby Wildcat Fire engulfed the base April 15, crews and assets from the Goodfellow Fire Department and the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy here joined forces with hundreds of other firefighters to battle the blaze that has even affected members of Team Goodfellow.

Persistent drought, high winds and searing temperatures have complicated attempts to battle the blaze, which was only 10 percent contained as of Wednesday and has scorched more than 150,000 acres so far. The Goodfellow firefighing team continues to toil night and day to beat back the flames.

"When San Angelo and Tom Green County reached out to us for assistance, I didn't hesitate to commit as many resources as possible to help our community overcome this crisis," said Col. Thomas Geary, 17th Training Wing Commander. "We will continue to provide whatever support we can during this difficult time."

Answering a 4 a.m. request for mutual aid from Tom Green County April 15, a truck and three firefighters from Goodfellow headed out to provide structural support for buildings threatened by the uncontrollable blaze that continues to be fueled by low humidity, dry brush and gusty winds. After crews from more than 20 agencies were unable to contain the inferno, a second request for additional help was fulfilled around 10 a.m. with three more trucks and 11 more firemen. Since then, more than 66 firefighters and five crash rescue vehicles, carrying 5,000 gallons of water, from the academy and fire department here have responded.

Their determination is paying off. According to the Texas Forest Service website, more than 400 homes and structures have been saved from the fire, some of which were spared due to Goodfellow's assistance.

"Our guys have actually engaged some of the fire and have been able to save some multi-million dollar homes and livestock," said John Manera, Goodfellow Assistant Fire Chief. "Our people have also helped prevent the fire from spreading by keeping it from jumping some of the highways."

San Angelo Emergency Operations Manager, Ron Perry, said Goodfellow's assistance was very important.

"We had exhausted all of our resources. Without Goodfellow's assets, I can't imagine what would've happened," Mr. Perry said. "We definitely appreciate their continued help."

Lars Vesper, Monday's lead firefighter from Goodfellow on scene, said the firefighters' teamwork ethic and extensive training is crucial in battling a of this magnitude.

"At first it's exciting because this is not something we do every day," he said. "But when you're out there with a fire that's out of control like this one, your brain has to kick in. You have to slow down, take a breath and set up some tactics and procedures. We all pick off each other's brain to figure out the next move. Team work is critical because we rely on one another."

Mr. Vesper said with winds picking up to 45 mph, the fire could change course at any time. Such an abrupt change could leave a firefighter who was uphill one minute, suddenly being downhill.

"You could be in danger at any moment and you have to know what to do," he said.

Dozens of Goodfellow's people who live in northern San Angelo faced the possibility of losing their homes to the encroaching fire and had to evacuate, leaving irreplaceable items behind.

That night, the southern tip of the front of the fire came within half a mile of Lt. Col. James Marrs's home before the wind shifted and carried the fire north again.

"We could see the ominous glow of the fire just beyond the ridge north of our community," he recalled.

Colonel Marrs, 217th Training Squadron Commander, was among those who had to evacuate, but said the thought of losing his home never really crossed his mind.

"As we were evacuating, the only thought on my mind was getting my family, livestock and pets to safe areas as quickly and safely as possible," he said.

He said after reaching safety it was hard for him to think about the possibility of losing some of the small, irreplaceable things such as old photos and memorabilia.

Throughout his career, Colonel Marrs has had more than 12 years of dealing with natural disasters serving as a civil engineer readiness officer. He said he was prepared before his family was told to leave.

"With my background, I've often thought of such things coming so close to home," he said. "We've kept go-bags packed for various reasons for years and have had plans for survival outside our home for just as many years - where to go, how to travel."

Many residents who faced the same situation as Colonel Marrs were able to shelter their animals at the fairgrounds. While he and his family were able to stay at a friend's home, many people had to stay at the city's coliseum.

For those on base, and with Goodfellow being downwind from the 45 mph gusts, ash flurries could be seen falling throughout the wing all day Friday. It didn't take long for the smoke and soot to fill the air either, and concerns about the air quality quickly rose.

According to the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality website, the air quality on Goodfellow and in the San Angelo area that day remained classified as "good" to "moderate," and was described as being similar to a campfire.

Col. Jim Forrest, 17th Medical Group Commander, said for most people the air was not a significant medical concern, but recommended very young children, elderly people and those with respiratory illness (asthma, emphysema or significant allergies) stay indoors for their own comfort.

Gate guards here were donned with cotton masks, a measure used only to ease their exposure while outside during their shift.

The Wildcat fire, ignited by a lightning strike April 11, originally started as a 66-acre blaze, in nearby Coke County. By Tuesday, the Texas Forest Service reported that 60 percent of it was contained, but high winds and humidity quickly fueled the blaze overnight and the fire jumped containment lines.

Despite nonstop efforts from ground crews, air tankers and helicopters, the Wildcat fire has yet to be extinguished, and continuous drought and other weather conditions keep firefighters concerned about the potential for new fires to start, according to the Texas Forest Service website.

All but two counties in Texas have experienced a wildfire so far this year. Currently, there are 195 counties in the state under a burn ban, including Tom Green County. Outdoor burning in Tom Green County is not allowed; this includes the use of use of outdoor barbecues at the Outdoor Recreation Camp and other areas around Lake Nasworthy. Only propane burning is allowed within the city limits.

As Team Goodfellow looks to the north, smoke from the uncontrollable blaze can still be seen in the distance. And as the Wildcat fire continues to burn, Goodfellow's firefighters maintain their partnership with hundreds of others in battling the blaze.