On Saturday, April 9th West Texas was devastated by a wildfire that ignited and spread around the area of Marfa and into Ft. Davis. Fortunately, Marfa saw no damage whatsoever, but Ft. Davis was devastated having homes, ranches, livestock, and business burned to the ground. Over 60,000 acres of land have been ruined, and Jeff Davis county has been deemed a federal disaster zone.
How you can help:
- Fort Davis/Jeff Davis County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Poenisch says 3-phase electricity generators are needed. Reach him at 432.426.3900.
- Persons displaced by the fire should meet with American Red Cross officials at 9am Monday at the fire station, behind the Jeff Davis County Courthouse in downtown Fort Davis.
- Food and water are still needed, says Marfa City Attorney and McDonald Observatory resident Teresa Todd. Call the Marfa fire station at 432.729.4838 or drop by the station in front of the Presidio County Courthouse. Likewise, food and water still are needed at the Fort Davis fire station.
- Make a monetary donation to the Marfa and Fort Davis volunteer fire departments. They’ll need money to make repairs to their equipment after they fight the fire and to restock supplies: Marfa Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 846, Marfa, Texas 79843. The Jeff Davis County Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 1061, Fort Davis, TX 79734. Any amount will help and is appreciated.
- Give to the American Red Cross Southwest Division out of Midland.
- Give to the Salvation Army of Texas, or P.O.Box 36607, Dallas, TX 75235, or by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY
For additional information: