NewsWest 9
FORT DAVIS - More back up is being called in for two huge wildfires in Jeff Davis County that aren't going out easily.
The Livermore Ranch Complex fire has burned more than 23,000 acres but crews are having a hard time getting it under control.
After a major setback, firefighters are ready to tackle these wildfires for good.
On Monday, high winds from thunderstorms blew flames over fire lines causing containment to drop to zero percent at one point.
On Tuesday, the Southern Area Red Team came to Fort Davis to help.
"We're brought in and we can help bring in a lot more people to support them out there to get this fire out," SART Public Information Officer, Catherine Hibbard, said.
Containment on the Livermore Ranch fire is back up to 25% and the Spring Mountain fire is at 60% containment.
Together they've scorched over 23,000, making it tough for firefighters.
"They're doing their job out there and they're doing a great job," Hibbard said. "It's just Mother Nature is not cooperating with us."
The Livermore Ranch fire is now about a mile and half away from the Davis Mountains Resort.
They're doing everything they can to protect the houses and gain some ground, literally.
"Real rough terrain out there and a lot of places you cannot put people," Air Support Team member, Terry Harris, said.
Officials have called in even more backup for air attack.
"The aircraft can get in there and help keep the fire maybe in check or knock it down in some places until we can get people on the ground out there," Harris said. "We also have four single engine air tankers with a capacity of about 800 gallons a piece."
With the extra help, that makes nine aerial support crews.
Groups of the elite "Hot Shots" firefighters are coming in from Augusta, GA.
"We'll also be ordering some more fire engines, brush type engines that can get into more deep narrow spots," Hibbard said.
Meanwhile the residents who evacuated the DMR are still waiting to go home.
"The Baptist Church here owns a three-bedroom house across the street," volunteer, Daisy McCutcheon, said. "We have five people staying there."
The rest are now staying in a block of rooms at a local motel.
