The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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September 6, 2011

Crabbs Prairie fire reignites, claims more homes

By Cody Stark Staff Reporter

HUNTSVILLE —  

Strong winds and dry conditions caused the Crabbs Prairie fire to reignite Monday afternoon and it claimed seven homes belonging to Walker County residents, according to reports from the Walker County Office of Emergency Management.
The fire, which originally began Wednesday at the junction of Hopewell and Scales Ranch roads and Dickey Loop, got out of control quickly Monday. Walker County OEM reported the closing of Dickey Loop and began evacuating residents near Loma and Morgan roads late Monday afternoon.
The fire burned down seven homes and 1,200 acres as it moved south into the western portions of Walker County. The fire started to slow down Monday night as the winds began to die down even as residents south of Dickey Loop toward Highway 30 were ordered to evacuate. Hoke No. 1 and Birdwell roads, as well as Dickey Loop, Loma Road and Morgan Road were all evacuated. As of 9 p.m., none of the fire had been contained.
The Walker County Storm Shelter is open for residents who need a place to stay and the Walker County Fairgrounds is open to house livestock or domestic pets.
Around 2 p.m. last Wednesday, the blaze began as a 1-acre grass fire between Crabb’s Prairie and Bedias. Within several hours, it had engulfed more than 900 acres, two homes, several outbuildings and a motor home.
Several fires popped up Sunday after Tropical Storm Lee brought high winds into the area, including one in the Pinedale Road area which forced Interstate 45 North to be closed for three hours. The storm cooled the temperatures in the Walker County on Monday, but the winds remained and caused the Crabbs Prairie fire to flare back up.

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