DUMAS, TEXAS -- A Cactus firefighter who suffered 3rd degree burns in Moore County's Saturday grassfire remains in critical condition. Elias Jaquez suffered burns to 60% of his body in that fire. He remains at the Lubbock Burn Center. Moore County Emergency Operations Center is now releasing details into what happened.
During a press conference Tuesday, Dumas Fire Chief Paul Jenkins says Jaquez, and three other firefighters were injured after a Dumas and Cactus fire truck became stuck in the rough terrain.
"They were going on to de-flank the fire. My truck got stuck in the sand and the Cactus truck came up beside them to pick my guys up and then they got stuck. From there the details are sketchy and this point," said Chief Paul Jenkins, Dumas Fire Chief.
"The type of terrain that they were in that particular day it's out in the middle of pasture, very sandy," said Chief Jenkins
He says they're still collecting reports from those involved and trying to piece together details of what exactly happened afterward. What they do know is more than 35,000 acres did burn, not 60,000 as Moore Co. EOC first reported. Chief Jenkins says the cause of the fire, two electoral wires touching in Saturday's rough winds, causing them to spark.
Many surrounding fire departments and law enforcement officials helped battle Saturday's grassfire. Most volunteer firefighters, which Chief Jenkins says make huge sacrifices to save our lives, daily.
"They're very important. Two thirds of our department are volunteer here in Dumas. It takes time away from their jobs, when they're allowed to do so. Time away from their family at night for training and weekends for training. Those people give everything," said Chief Jenkins.
A medical fund has been set up at Happy State Bank for Elias Jaquez.
For a list of Happy State Banks near Amarillo click here.
