On August 2, 2023, the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Texas A&M Forest Service on a grass fire at FM 946 South and Harrell Road. A dominant upper-level ridge of high pressure resided over Texas from the middle of June through early August. These conditions resulted in flash drought conditions, which was only intensified by the well below normal rainfall.
TAMFS arrived on the Snow Hill Fire in San Jacinto County to find approximately 10 acres burning with moderate to high fire behavior in a thinned loblolly pine plantation with the potential for rapid growth and threats to homes. Additional dozer and tractor plow units, engines, and aviation resources were ordered.
Tractor Plow 1 and 2 arrived on the scene and after a briefing were tasked with working the right flank of the fire on the northern end of Harrell Road working west. At this time they had discovered that the fire had spotted across to the east side of Harrell Road. In agreement with the IC, both tractor plow units’ assignments were adjusted to address the fire. Tractor Plow 1 progress was halted due to a deep creek, Tractor Plow 2 continued down Harrell Road and began putting in a direct line from the north, working toward Tractor Plow 1.
Two of the responders were constructing plow lines but were having to pick routes around trees that left pockets of unburned fuel. After an hour, one of the responders was feeling the effects of the heat and proposed to swap with the other responder to operate the tractor plow. Neither responder was wearing gloves due to the dexterity needed to manipulate the control of the tractor plow and using field maps on a phone.
When the responders went to switch, there was 30-40 feet of unburned fuel between their plowed line and the fire edge. An unexpected win shift combined with a pocket of susceptible midstory vegetation caused the fire behavior and intensity to rapidly and drastically increase. One responder entered the dozer and grabbed a load of dirt with the blade and pushed through the flame front, feeling the heat from the fire, he remained unharmed while he made it into the black. Two other responders ran 20-30 yards down the line to an area where the fire was low. They stayed in the black for 10 minutes to regroup. Eventually both responders went and got checked out by medical staff.
One responder received first-degree burns on the backs of his hands and left side. Another responder received second-degree burns on the back of his left hand and left elbow and first-degree burns on his left ear, and side of his face, and nose.
For more information on this event, be sure to read the full learning analysis here.