Air tanker crews applauded for efforts fighting weekend's Hill Top Fire

Ronald W. Erdrich, Abilene Reporter-News
·2 min read
Madison Everson, 8, looks up from behind the yoke of the Boeing 737 firefighting aircraft Wednesday. Joining her in the aircraft's cockpit as "copilots" are her brothers A.J. (center) and Derrick, 4 and 6, respectively. The aircraft was instrumental over the weekend in fighting the Hill Top Fire south of Abilene, local leaders gathered to thank the aircrews Wednesday before they flew off to other fires closer to Louisiana.

It may not have been a big ceremony but it was a heartfelt one. When pilots working with the Texas Forest Service came downstairs from their daily briefing at Abilene Aero Wednesday morning, they were met with a round of applause from dozens of people gathered in the lobby.

Taylor County Judge Phil Crowley, among several others, stepped forward to express appreciation for the aircrews' efforts in fighting the weekend's Hill Top Fire south of Abilene.

More: Voluntary evacuation in effect for Hill Top Fire south of Abilene

"Their planes stopped the fire from being more of a disaster than it was," he said. At least 200 acres burned as the fire took off Friday, threatening houses between U.S. 83/84 and State Highway 36. As of Wednesday morning, the fire was listed by the Texas A&M Forest Service as 90-percent contained.

The forest service maintains an air base at Abilene Regional Airport during wildfire seasons, tanker base manager Mike Pedersen said the support from the community was an unexpected, but welcome, surprise.

Air crews are applauded by local leaders as they exit their daily briefing Wednesday at Abilene Aero. The crews from the Texas A&M Forest Service air tanker base at Abilene Regional Airport, in coordination with local fire departments, were credited with keeping the weekend's Hill Top Fire south of Abilene from reaching homes in the area.
Air crews are applauded by local leaders as they exit their daily briefing Wednesday at Abilene Aero. The crews from the Texas A&M Forest Service air tanker base at Abilene Regional Airport, in coordination with local fire departments, were credited with keeping the weekend's Hill Top Fire south of Abilene from reaching homes in the area.

"We don't usually get accolades or thanks really, so it's a little different," he said. "We all love this community and to see them appreciate the actions that both the air and ground resources are putting into protecting the area is pretty incredible."

There are plans for a permanent location for the aircrews in the future, but for now Pedersen had nothing but praise for the cooperative efforts provided by Abilene Aero.

"These guys are the best fuelers in the country, they treat the fires as emergency response," he said. "Most places, it's just another plane stopping to get gas. Around here, these guys take it seriously and they impress me every day. It's one of the things that's amazing about Abilene."

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Air tanker crews applauded for efforts fighting weekend's Hill Top Fire