BLANKET, Texas — Wildfires engulfed parts of Central and West Texas, but the Brown County community decided to help one another persevere through the sudden fire.
The Texas Forest Service reported as of 9:55 a.m., the Ramsey fire in Brown County is 2,090 acres and 95% contained.
Some Blanket Volunteer Fire Department workers have been without sleep for 24 hours, attempting to contain the Ramsey wildfire spreading in Brown County. Fire Chief Robert Rodgers said he is grateful people in the community took the time to donate needed items to their station.
“The people of Brown County have donated so much that we need and we appreciate it so much. We have so much bread, food, water, and snacks we might have to end up donating,” Rodgers explained.
An order was issued for an immediate wildfire evacuation by request from Brown County emergency management Sunday.
This caused some Brown County residents in the area just north of Blanket to seek temporary shelter. That’s when the First United Methodist Church in Brownwood stepped up by opening their church door for local families.
“This fire hit closer to home than you know. We did a baptism last Sunday where a family lost their house over in Blanket. It's just stuff that people you don't even know that you're at the grocery store with or sit next to in a Sunday service that might have been going through a life changing event. I think it's so helpful when the community rallies together to help one another and to love one another in times like this,” First United Methodist Youth Director Alex Bingha shared.
Recent rainfall has aided in containing the wildfires across Central and West Texas. To be better prepared for what may come in the future, the Blanket Volunteer Fire Department needs monetary donations more than anything.
“We need money. We're tearing up tires. We're turning up pumps. We're tearing up equipment. We're in the middle of trying to build a new station, and we're tearing stuff up. We're breaking stuff. That’s just how it works,” Rodgers said.
To donate to the Blanket VFD, information can be found on their Facebook page.