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  • NEWSROOM: SOUTHERN AREA TYPE 1 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT RED TEAM TO ASSIST ON COPPER BREAKS FIRE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    August 19, 2019

    Southern Area Type 1 Incident Management Red Team to Assist on Copper Breaks Fire

    COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Southern Area Type 1 Incident Management Red Team arrived in Texas this week to assist with the Copper Breaks Fire in Hardeman County.

    The Copper Breaks Fire is approximately 11 miles southwest of Quanah, Texas, and is currently 8,380 acres and 40% contained. As triple digit temperatures persist and vegetation continues to dry out, significant fire activity has increased across the state of Texas. This summer drying trend is expected to continue in the upcoming weeks.

    Local firefighters responded to the fire Friday afternoon, August 16. As the fire continued to increase, locals called Texas A&M Forest Service for assistance. Texas A&M Forest Service response has included firefighters, dozers, aircraft, fire management personnel and two Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Teams.

    With increased resources and complexity, a Type 1 Incident Management Team has been mobilized. Operating under the authority of Texas A&M Forest Service, the Southern Area Red Team will work in unified command with local and state resources on the Copper Breaks Fire. A Type 1 IMT is a self-contained, all-hazard team recognized at the national and state level and deployed to manage incidents of national significance.

    Multiple fires have ignited in the area surrounding the Copper Breaks Fire due to lightning in the Northwest portion of the state. The area has experienced storms with lightning and very little precipitation. Having a Type 1 Incident Management Team will allow local and state resources to allocate their efforts on additional ignitions.

    “With the assistance of the Southern Area Red Team, additional aircraft and firefighters will be assigned to the Copper Breaks Fire, helping to extend the state’s firefighting capabilities on this fire and across the state,” said Les Rogers, Incident Response Department Head with Texas A&M Forest Service. “This will also allow firefighting resources to be available to respond to new fire ignitions statewide.”

    Texas A&M Forest Service reminds people that with high fire danger, anything can cause a spark, which could lead to a wildfire. Wildfires burning in grass can spread and grow quickly. It is important that if you spot a wildfire you report it immediately to local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.

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    Contacts:

    Public Information Officer, Texas A&M Forest Service, 979-255-0591, information@tfs.tamu.edu

    Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office, 979-458-6600, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu
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