North Texas Firefighters To Help Fight Panhandle Wildfires

March 15, 2006
The firefighters plan to help out the Texas Forestry Service for three days to a week.

North Texas firefighters are on their way to the panhandle to help contain massive wildfires that have burned more than 840,000 acres since the weekend, making it the largest wildfire in state history.

A total of 30 firefighters, including 15 Dallas firefighters, seven Frisco firefighters and six from D/FW Airport's fire department, left for Childress Wednesday.

The firefighters plan to help out the Texas Forest Service for three days to a week.

They are expected to work at least 12 hours per day on the fire lines, but said they are happy to do their part.

"It's our job to go help the public and everything, and now we're going out to help a community that's hours away from where we are because it's their time of need, and just like firemen do, we go where we're called when help is needed," firefighter Christopher Gay said.

Firefighters will have to battle possible wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour Wednesday.

The fires are responsible for 11 deaths and at least 15 homes destroyed. The preliminary estimates put the number of horses and cattle killed at 10,000.

The state requested help from departments that can offer its services.

Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday plans to tour the devastated areas.

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