Firefighters Battling 2 Fires Near Possum Kingdom Lake

Two Chinook helicopters dumped water on the fires on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon storms briefly stopped two Chinook helicopters from dropping water on wildfires burning in Palo Pinto County east of Possum Kingdom Lake. The fires are burning near the intersection of state highways 254 and 16, west of Mineral Wells.

Lightning strikes are believed to have ignited both the Dark Valley fire and Rhodes Ranch II fire, according to the Texas Forest Service. 

As of Sunday at 6 p.m., the Forest Service said the Dark Valley Fire consumed 1,800 acres. It was 50 percent contained with no homes destroyed. 

The Rhodes Ranch II Fire burned 1,700 acres with 50 percent containment. No homes were destroyed.  No injuries were reported in either blaze.

On Sunday, a new fire in the Hog Bend area on the south shore of Possum Kingdom Lake flared up. The Texas Forest Service said up to 60 acres are on fire. Existing crews were able to knock it down quickly.

As of Sunday evening, there are no standing evacuation orders. Just days ago, families were preparing to leave.

"Mom and Dad have about six boxes," Phil Bob Borman said. "And we're putting all the keepsakes in there and getting everything ready for going at a moment's notice."

Fire crews in the area are asking for additional help in fighting the two blazes as winds have started increasing the size of each fire. About 40 brush crews are divided up and working both fires simultaneously.

The Red Cross is also sending help to the fires. Volunteers packed up supplies in Fort Worth including water, Gatorade, cold compresses, and snacks which they'll hand out to firefighters in the area.

"Those guys have been working around the clock, pretty much 24/7, battling these blazes and doing a good job of protecting people's homes and livelihoods," said Anita Foster with the American Red Cross. "But it is hot. It's Texas and it's the Summer."

In 2011, more than 150 homes were destroyed in the PK Lake wildfires. The fires caused an estimated $100 million in damages.

NBC 5's Omar Villafranca contributed to this report.

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