A wildfire just outside of Aspermont, Texas created big problems for Stonewall County citizens in the area on May 2nd, 2022. The wind picked up and the fire quickly grew in size to the point of becoming an emergency situation for the rural community.

The fire began near the airport and was caused by lightning. Over the next few hours, it moved rapidly and dangerously toward residents living on the outskirts of town. Stonewall County Judge Ronnie Moorhead and his family are incredibly lucky to not have lost their home in the fire. They fought the flames with water hoses in an effort to keep the fire from burning structures and their home while the Texas Forestry Service, the Stonewall County Volunteer Fire Department, and the Hamlin Volunteer Fire Department battled the fire in multiple other locations.

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As of today, Wednesday, May 4th, 2022, the fire is 80 percent contained and has burned more than 14,000 acres.

Here are photos of the progression of the fire and the aftermath:

Stonewall County Wildfire

Judge Moorehead's stepson, Aspermont Mayor Steven Ellis, told 94.5 FMX:

“You could see the smoke building to the northeast of town all afternoon. The wind was blowing in that direction until just before dark when it turned and began blowing to the southwest. As night fell, you could see the glowing flames from miles away. My parent’s house a few miles outside of town was almost directly in its path so we went there to try and wet everything down on the property in hopes of saving it. The fire ended up burning the northwest corner of the property narrowly missing multiple structures including the house. I’ll be honest with you, it was pretty harrowing that night, seeing flames that large and smoke that thick getting closer and closer was really frightening. We were very fortunate.”

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