May 30, 2019 500 AM
SOUTH BREWSTER COUNTY – A week-long fire in Big Bend National Park has destroyed multiple buildings at the Castolon Historic District, burned over 940 acres, and while diminished, has yet to flame out. A total 22 Mexican firefighters and park staff were still working together Wednesday afternoon to douse the fire’s hot spots, with 90 percent of the fire contained.
In the fire’s wake, the park has received an outpouring of public support. “People love this place, and there are strong connections to Castolon,” Tom Vanden-Berg, a press contact for BBNP, said. “It’s an iconic location, and a big loss.”
In response, the Big Bend Conservancy set up a fundraiser to restore the historic Castolon Historic District, with permission from the park. Donations can be made here: https://bit.ly/2HKbHrJ
Last Wednesday evening, a growing fire in Santa Elena, Mexico of undetermined origins blew across the Rio Grande and entered Big Bend National Park. In the eight days since, Big Bend National Park Wildland firefighters, Terlingua Fire & EMS, the Texas Forest Service, and “Los Diablos” of Mexico have fought back flames in dire conditions—high winds, low humidity, and temperatures climbing over 110 degrees in the shade.
As they struggled against the flames the first night, severe shifts in the wind caused multiple structures to be fully consumed or partially affected in the Castolon Historic District. The Officers’ Quarters and restroom facilities at Castolon sustained damage, but quick action saved them. The barracks structure, home of the Castolon Visitor Center and La Harmonia store, was “extensively damaged,” when the roof ignited and structural fire crews were unable to tame the blazes. National Park press officers stated, “Of the historic buildings at Castolon, all but two of them were ultimately saved by both wildland and structural crews who worked through the night. The saved structures include: the two Officers Quarters buildings, Magdalena House, Garlick House, Guard Shack, granary and tack room, Alvino House, as well as the historic wagon and steam pump.”
The following day, the fire brigades successfully fended off flames around the Cottonwood Campground, near Santa Elena Canyon, sparing the site and its vegetation. By Friday, the crews were able to hold the fire, and prevent further acreage from burning. There was minimal growth over the weekend, but hot spots still flared within the fire’s perimeters.
Since then, fire crews have continually worked to put out hot spots, with 90% of the fire now contained. Los Diablos, the crew of firefighters from Mexican border towns that was first assembled in 1990, have provided mutual aid to the park for the past three decades, and fought alongside park employees to save structures and extinguish hot spots the entire week.
Los Diablos are permitted to enter the United States “on an annual basis to assist any emergency firefighting effort in the company of Big Bend National Park staff,” according to Big Bend National Park published materials about the crew. In addition to the 944 acres burned within the park, an additional 144 acres burned in Mexico.
At a Wednesday morning meeting, park officials were finally looking ahead. Vanden-Berg conveyed that the meeting did not involve any decisions yet, but discussed the potential to restore the building according to historic blueprints, and to consider other options for the more immediate future.
“Regardless of the historic value, it’s also a visitor’s service area. It’s one of the only places on the west side of the park with shade, a place to get out of the heat and get a cold drink, and we recognize that. We’re just at the beginning stages of brainstorming.” Park officials said that it would take months to assess options and determine the best path forward following the fire event.
The park also urged visitors to avoid burned areas, as heat can remain in the burnt mesquite stumps, and parts of the terrain could collapse under the weight of people walking on the ground above charred roots.
As the fire smolders on and firefighters work to extinguish the last of it, VandenBerg confirmed that the Cottonwood Campground will remain closed, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is open to Mile 22, and Santa Elena Canyon trail and overlook are open, but only accessible by high clearance vehicle on Old Maverick Road.
