Long-time KTAB anchor Stacie Lopez spent years reporting the news and never imagined that one day she would be sharing it from the other side of the screen. While her husband, John Mark, a former Abilene police officer, prepared for another day of helping to keep the people of Abilene safe, neither of them could have anticipated the difficult battle they would face together while at home on the range.
“I remember it. Like to this day, we packed up everything and loaded up the car, loaded up the kids, loaded up the animals, and ashes were just falling on our head,” Stacie said. “I just remember crying and bawling, because I thought I was leaving my house, and we were going to come back, and there was going to be nothing left. Nothing at all.”
The smoke, red hue skies with floating ember and falling ash, set the tone for what would leave a lasting memory as a portion of the community of Buffalo Gap was caught in the blaze. John said the evacuation call came in with every second counting.
“I was actually at work, and I get a call and they’re like, ‘Hey, the fire jumped. Get to your house, get out of there, it’s a big alert, we have to evacuate y’all,” John said. “You could literally see the flames from our backyard.”
The family was unaware that they would have to leave for four days and did not know if they would have a home to return to. The weather conditions were only adding fuel to the fire.
The Big Country is no stranger to wildfires, making headlines for some of the deadliest and largest in the state. According to Climate Central, since 1973, we have gained an additional 20 days with wildfire conditions increasing the likelihood of more extreme fires. While we can’t fight fire with fire, one community in Buffalo Gap is finding ways to help tame the flames.
Derrick Sowell, the current fire chief at Buffalo Gap, took over from his father, Dana Sowell, after serving nearly 50 years with the city and 35 as former fire chief. He discussed why being part of a Firewise community is essential to helping reduce the flames.
“We encourage everybody countywide, not just here in the city limits of Buffalo Gap, but to make their home fire-defensible,” Sowell said. “[That] means keep all the brush and debris clean back from your residence 100 feet. Stand out the vegetation next to your home; do not plant vegetation right next to your home within 15 feet of your home. Keep their porches clear.”
Derrick mentioned that the key to prevention is to be aware of fuels and how quickly fires can climb when preventative measures are not taken. He said prevention is a great tool. He also talked about certain triggers for wildfire events, such as dragging chains and fireworks.
“The Mesquite Fire was started by somebody dragging a chain down the road; make sure that their vehicles are properly ready to travel down the road,” Sowell said. “The biggest benefit fire-wise is hopefully we’re going to take the fuel load out and keep all the fire down low.”
Seeing the events of that day not only left an everlasting impact but also brought change to the Lopez family. Suiting up looks different now, as a firefighter for View, only this time hoping to give back to a community that helped save his.
“The way they help this whole area, and you know how we’re a small community and how we take care of each other,” John said.
Now, a visit to the Lopez home will be met with well-kept grass, no cedar trees, and a perimeter. Stacie says her biggest takeaway from that frightful day is not to underestimate the power of fire.
“We might have a tornado. We’ve got to prepare for that. But fire is the same way. Don’t overlook it because it could be you, so make sure you are prepared,” Stacie said.
While some rebuilt their homes, picking up the pieces between the charred and ash, others moved on and never looked back, and although they say that time heals all wounds, the scars remain, and while some days may fan the flames, the memories of those days are forever seared.
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