Massive Wildfire in Northeast Kinney County
And, Galveston Crew Keeping Busy on the Highways
Hello again Friends,
Some hesitation in bringing the following story to your inboxes. On the surface of it, a wildfire in a remote and little traveled part of the county would seem like utter local news that wasn’t worth bringing to the attention of folks scattered around the State and Country.
However— there is a very real chance that the fire could’ve been started by illegal aliens. It lies right in the path of traffic for those trying to get into the Camp Wood and Nueces River area: one of the ways they bypass Border Patrol checkpoints between the border and the San Antonio area. With no thunder and lightning to speak of, the chances of a natural cause for this fire seem pretty miniscule.
The Texas A & M Forest Service is just one of the outside agencies being called to help— as the fire is in such a remote area and was able to swell up to such a large size that aerial water and retardant drops are just about the only way it’s going to be controlled.
There are several maps out there showing the location— though some have said they’re a little bit off. In any event, the fire is not far from the Silver Lake area, tucked into the Northeastern corner of the county, near the Edwards and Uvalde County Lines, and smoke is visible from spots just outside of the County seat in the town of Brackettville.
Initial estimates suggested as many as 5500 acres were going up in smoke, but at some point the Forest Service probably got a helicopter overhead and revised it downward to about 1000 acres. As we write this early Monday morning, the fire is still listed as 100% uncontained, but that will probably be updated by 9:00 or 10:00 AM, with the results of any efforts from overnight.
There have been just short of a half-dozen wildfires in Kinney County over the last few weeks. So far, we’re told at least one was the result of a ranch manager error— and while this latest may be the result of illegal alien traffic, there could also conceivably be some other manmade explanation involving powerlines or something.
Interestingly enough— some distance away from that location— on the other side of the Uvalde County line is the Ox Ranch, perhaps better known around the state as the “Drive Tanks” ranch. It’s far enough away to be considered relatively unaffected, but anyone with property in the area has to feel some measure of concern.
The Ox Ranch is one of the premier hi-fence hunting operations in the State of Texas with a surfeit of exotic game and high tech efforts to ensure the quality and health of their various herds. It also has a lot of World War II surplus tanks and other toys that people can pay to drive on a special course. Firing the guns at junked cars costs extra.
We mention all of this because 1) Tanks are cool, right? And 2) Wildfires and hi-fence operations can lead to some pretty cruel results for wildlife and game that are unable to escape the flames, and wind up perishing while huddled up at the boundaries of property— compounding what can be a massive financial blow with the weight of such bad ends.
Longtime readers are familiar by now with the “Galveston Crew,” a shorthand reference to the loose assembly of Galveston-area Sheriff’s Deputies and Deputy Constables that have been coming out to Kinney County and pitching in for months now— supporting the Kinney County Sheriff’s Office.
The photo above is from a relatively typical bust last Thursday, that involved 7 illegal aliens and one accused trafficker.
Because it happened on the road the aliens would’ve all been referred to Border Patrol for processing.
We normally don’t focus on what’s becoming routine traffic stops in Kinney County. But— just a few hours after that one in the photo above, the midnight shift that same night got pretty crazy:
In Galveston County Constable Jimmy Fullen’s words, there were “multiple stops by DPS,” and several more chipped in by Kinney County and Galveston County lawmen. In all, 23 illegal aliens were apprehended, three human smugglers taken into custody and a juvenile charged with possession of marijuana.
We’re highlighting the above photo, because sharp eyes will notice several figures in camouflage, combat webbing, and carrying scary black rifles. Don’t get too excited, ACLU of Texas, those are state employees with the DPS Brush team— not scary militia bros.
One of the questions many ask, is “Why Galveston County?” Or, why is Galveston County of all places helping out on the border? There are several answers— the one most frequently heard is that the Constables from Places 2 and 4 and Galveston County Sheriff view it as a worthwhile effort— interdicting some of the fentanyl, meth, and sex trafficking that might otherwise show up on the island. Another answer, less frequently heard— is that for some of them, it’s a chance to return the favor. Whenever tropical weather slams into Galveston, the rest of the State swings into action with all kinds of assistance. Some of the lawmen view Operation Lone Star as an opportunity to return the favor to another region of the state that needs it.
For those new to the Cavalry - Dispatch, Kinney County only has about 6 fulltime deputies, with a County Jail that on its best day can hold 14 people. Right now, about half those beds are unavailable because of needed repairs. The help coming from Galveston County and the physical presence of the Deputy Sheriffs and Deputy Constables have been hard to put an actual dollar figure on, beyond the amounts spent on salaries and fuel, which don’t really add up as an accurate estimate of what their impact has been. The only requirement from the Galveston County Judge, is that any deputies coming out to help have to be willing volunteers, or in other words, no “volun-telling.”
Recognize this image?
That’s from almost 7 days ago— showing a suspected cartel member on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, near Starr County, aiming an AK-47 at a DPS Helicopter. It was widely posted in several spots online.
The same area has seen frequent reports of Border Patrol Agents getting shot at— authorities stop shy of suggesting it’s probably the work of that one individual— certainly it’s possible that it might’ve been any number of folks with happy trigger fingers over the last several weeks.
That said— readers would be surprised how often a series of events are the work of 1 or 2 knuckleheads.
Reading between the lines, it looks like DPS and perhaps also the US Government may’ve had some words with Mexico about this. A raid was launched by the Mexican Military at a nearby suspected cartel compound and five people were killed— another four arrested.
Given the fidelity of the image, it’s almost certain that same car was at that compound. The gunman probably thought it wise to keep law enforcement away from that location— but in this case, he merely made it apparent that something had to be done— apparent that the location needed special attention.
We mentioned “volun-telling” a few lines back, while talking about Galveston County. It’s on our minds, after word that workers in the Department of Homeland Security are being “volun-told” that they’re needed on the border, immediately.
It hasn’t been hush hush, but news coverage hasn’t really picked up on just how widespread the disruptions are.
Sources in the organization say agents are being stripped from inland locations and rushed to help on the border, following reports that in several locations ICE has had to suspend all efforts other than processing— overwhelmed with too many illegal aliens to actually patrol. In some cases, they have so many aliens, they’re unable to bus them out of the area like they normally do, and are instead releasing them at local Wal-Marts and gas stations.
Much of the focus on the Border Crisis has been in Texas, especially here at the Dispatch, but it bears noting that New Mexico and Arizona are also getting hammered, and at least some of those being “volun-told” are on their way to the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
That should do it for this morning. Have yourself a great week— we’ll probably be back again 1 or 2 more times before the weekend with further newsletters, given some of what’s being worked on. We’ll see you then.
As always, we hasten to mention our employment with the Kinney County Sheriff’s Office. Any opinions, errors, or other gaffes are ours alone and not a reflection of Kinney County policies.
Quick Correction: It's the Northeastern part of the County, as is obvious on the map. Apologies!