On 22 November 2005 a large grass fire formed north of Tahoka consuming several hundred acres. Strong surface winds accelerated the fire northeast burning quicky through our West Texas Mesonet site causing minimal damage to wiring and minor melting of the 2 meter (6.5 ft.) 3-cup anemometer.

Below are pictures taken by John Lipe at the National Weather Service forecast office in Lubbock. A meteogram image from the event is also shown, highlighted by a peak temperature of 102 degrees F (312 Kelvin) at 1.5 meters AGL (5 ft.). Also of interest is the disruption in the solar radiation time-history as the fire is ongoing. A small peak can be seen associated with the peak temperature max followed by a period of time where smoke and ash filtered incoming solar radiation. 5-minute observations from the entire day can be found HERE.