Whether they're paid or volunteering, firefighters have a dangerous job, and that proved true for a Cameron Gardens volunteer firefighter who suffered severe burns fighting a massive grassfire.

Dwight Murphy remained in critical condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Dallas Thursday, with burns covering the top half of his body, said Lt. David Duke with the Wichita County Sheriff's Office.

Murphy suffered second-degree burns to his hands, arms, chest, neck, face and head when he was fighting the grassfire that altogether burned about 2,000 acres around Upper Charlie and Lower Charlie roads Wednesday afternoon, Duke said.

He called the fire suspicious and said it was still under investigation Thursday.

Murphy wasn't wearing his coat and was attacking the fire from a position in which he became trapped by the flames, Duke said.

Duke said he met Murphy when Murphy was a jailer for the county before he moved on to another job.

"He was always talkative. He was a good employee," Duke said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

Richard Harmon, Cameron Gardens' chief, said Murphy had been part of his department for about seven years.

Duke said this week brought an unwanted reminder of how dangerous grass fires can become for all firefighters, whether they battle blazes for a living or volunteer their time to help. It's important for them to be protected, he said.

About 50 firefighters from more than a dozen departments in Wichita, Clay and Archer counties converged on the scene and fought for hours to contain the flames as massive clouds of smoke rolled across the ground and towered toward the sky.

Forest Services sent helicopters to the scene, and the helicopters made about 16 trips to dump 2,000 gallons of water at a time upon the burning ground, Duke said.

This area is fortunate its stock tanks and lakes are still as full as they are because some other areas of the state probably would have had a more difficult time finding access to water sources deep enough to drop the buckets into, he said.

The fire broke out about noon Wednesday, and firefighters worked at the scene throughout the night.