Mother Nature gave the hundreds of firefighters battling the Possum Kingdom Complex fire an Easter Sunday blessing in the form of rain.
On a day that Governor Rick Perry had declared a "Day of Prayer for Rain," 2 to 3 inches of rain fell over Possum Kingdom Lake.
Along with heavy rain and pea-sized hail, the storm brought with it a Tornado Warning in Palo Pinto County that later expired without incident.
The much needed rain was a welcome sight to the hundreds of firefighters working to contain the fire.
"The rain helps us out because it helps us put out some of the hot spots we can't get to," said Kevin Green, Assistant Chief of the Graford Volunteer Fire Department.
But while the rain provided some relief to crews, it's the lightning that comes with it that could pose even more problems. A lightning strike can cause a slow smoldering fire, that can easily spread if winds kick up.
"Monday and Tuesday are the two highest red flag fire days so the little bit of rain we just got everybody is like, 'Oh yeah!' but it's not enough. If it did this for 2 or 3 days, you could relax maybe, but we are not relaxing," said Lt. Diane Burns, who works for the Graford Volunteer Fire Department.
The fire has burned an estimated 126,734 acres and is 50 percent contained, according to the Texas Forest Service. Firefighters say they are beginning to get a grip on the fire but there is still a lot more work to do.
"Probably at least 10 more days, and that's if all goes well for us, to get 100 percent containment," Asst. Chief Green said.
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The Texas Forest Service said rain helped firefighters create a longer fire line, which helps prevent the fire from spreading.
Burns said all the firefighters in the department postponed their Easter celebrations, but they are all praying for more rain.
"I'm a believer in God and so I believe God listens. He hears our prayers, he knows we need it, but we need more," Burns said.
