Lubbock Fire Rescue conducts burnout operation for Yellow House River Fire

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Lubbock authorities are taking precautions after a wildfire destroyed over 2 acres of land in east Lubbock.

A fire broke out near East 50th Street and East Loop 289 on Wednesday.

LFR Deputy Chief Nick Wilson said the difficulties in extinguishing the Yellow House River Fire began as soon as emergency crews arrived.

“This fire was very challenging at first,” Wilson said, “as with many wildfires in these conditions: When it’s windy, dry and hot, there’s always a risk that the fire will spread very quickly and get bigger.”

Another obstacle was the localization of the fire, as smoke continued to rise from the area days after the fire broke out.

“What makes this fire even more difficult is that this is an old landfill where a lot of debris from the 1970 tornado was probably buried underground,” Wilson said. “As the vegetation burned, we discovered a lot of that debris that is now burning underground and there’s not much we can do about it, frankly.”

Wilson highlighted the efforts of several teams, including the Texas A&M Forest Service, that prevented the fire from spreading further.

The City of Lubbock’s Department of Public Works is currently working on a plan to erect an earth cover on the site to remove the smoke.

The fire has ravaged about 2 hectares of land in the area but has been contained. On Tuesday, firefighters conducted a firefighting operation to remove any items that could potentially contribute to the spread of the fire outside the containment line.

“We bring the fuel there and burn it or remove it between where the fire is and where we think it might spread or where it’s trying to go,” Wilson said. “By burning all the vegetation around the fire, it keeps the existing fire in the area, whether it’s underground or above ground. It has nowhere to spread and makes for a much safer situation.”

LFR officials would like to remind the public that while smoke may still be visible in the area, emergency crews are working hard to complete the work.

“We’re monitoring this 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to make sure it stays under control,” Wilson said. “We’ll be there until the job is done.”

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