Wildfire

As of March 31st, 2022, pending any significant changes in the activity of the fire, Texas A&M Forest Service will no longer be updating information on this incident. The Crittenberg Complex Fire has been turned over to local fire resources. Texas A&M Forest Service  received a request for assistance in Coryell County on the Crittenburg Complex on March 27. The complex consists of 3 wildfires that have burned together and is actively burning in grass, brush and cedar fuel types.Ground resources engaged in constructing containment lines to stop forward progression during initial attack and worked in cooperation with Fort Hood fire response. Aviation resources made several beneficial drops on the fire to help slow forward progression. Resources on the fire during the first operational period include the Texas A&M Forest Service task force from McGregor with 3 dozers, one Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike team with 5 engines, 3 large air tankers, 6 single engine...

The West Nueces Fire began on March 27, 2022 in Kinney County. Local fire departments requested assistance from Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) late afternoon as the fire was actively burning in grass and juniper shrub. TAMFS is working in unified command with Kinney County officials. The fire is burning approximately 19 miles northeast of Brackettville, Texas. While the morning of March 28 was cloudy and saw decent relative humidity recoveries, high winds and fuel availability led to increased fire behavior again in the afternoon. Fire managers are using indirect containment tactics due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of where the fire is burning. Priorities include point protection and preparedness for the ranch structures that could be impacted by fire spread. Structures on both the west and eastern flanks have been identified and are being prepared for potential fire impact. Crews note that the fire is burning into natural barriers, such as rocky terrain with sparse fuels,...

Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance in La Salle County on the Los Angeles Fire, approximately about 17 miles east of Cotulla, Texas, in the afternoon of March 30, 2022. The fire was burning actively in grass and shrub fuels. Texas A&M Forest Service engine, heavy equipment and air resources initially responded to aid in the suppression efforts and work in unified command with local authorities. The fire has been held along Highway 97 west of Fowlerton.  As of March 31st, 2022, pending any significant changes in the activity of the fire, Texas A&M Forest Service will no longer be updating information on this incident. The Los Angeles Fire has been turned over to local fire resources.  Pending any significant change in fire activity this will be the last update for this

Multiple wildfires burning southwest of Eastland, Texas have been combined for management purposes into the Eastland Complex. This includes the Walling, Wheat Field, Kidd, Oak Mott, Blowing Basin, Mangum, and Cedar Mountain Fires. The Walling Fire started on March 16th, the Wheat Field, Kidd, and Oak Mott Fires on March 17th, and Blowing Basin, Mangum, Cedar Mountain Fires started on March 20th. Texas A&M Forest Service resources including heavy equipment, fire engines, overhead, and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) strike teams are responding. The fires are actively burning in thick brush and grass fields. Crews were initially focused on operations related to life safety and structure protection, and containment line creation where possible.  Weather on the day of ignitions included highs that were expected to reach the mid-80's, minimum relative humidity between 12 and 15 percent with strong and gusty winds from the southwest. A wind shift blew through the region...

The Vib Fire started mid afternoon, March 30th, 2022 on private property, burning in grass and brush. The fire is located on King Ranch property in Brooks County outside of the town of Encino, Texas. No evacuations were called for during initial attack though structure protection was ongoing throughout the suppression efforts. One unoccupied outbuilding was destroyed. Firefighters worked well into the night to hold the perimeter and protect threatened structures.  Work continued on March 31, 2022 and as of 4 pm the only heat pockets found are interior according to aircraft surveying the fire area. The fire is officially 100% contained and turned over to locals. Federal and state resources have been released as of 6pm.  Pending any significant change in fire activity this will be the last update for this

The Spring 2022 prescribed fire season is upon us. Fire managers will be looking for windows of opportunity to conduct broadcast burns (applying fire across the forest floor) through the month of April and maybe into May, depending on what conditions will allow. Crews are planning to work on the following projects this season: Greenbase Project:  Just north of the City Williams; 3500 acres; Smoke likely noticeable around Williams, Highway 64, and Interstate 40.Reed Project: Just south and northeast of Tusayan; 3300 acres; Overnight smoke generally settles around Forest Road 302, Tusayan, and south toward Red Butte.Blue Stem Project: Remote corner of Tusayan District 15-20 miles east northeast of State Route 64 and Red Butte; Total of approx. 6000 acres; Limited smoke on local roads; minimal impacts to populated areas. Fire plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy forest and reducing risks of uncharacteristic wildfires that threaten public health and safety.  A healthy forest...

As of March 30th, pending any significant changes in the activity of the fire, Texas A&M Forest Service will no longer be updating information on this incident. The Bosque Fire has been turned over to local fire resources.    Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance in Bosque County on the Bosque River Fire, approximately 3 miles east of Iredel, Texas, on the evening on March 27, 2022. The fire was burning actively in grass and shrub fuels. During initial attack, ground resources engaged in constructing containment lines to stop forward progression. State resources are working in cooperation with local fire

This fire will no longer be updated. Firefighters are currently engaged in wildfire suppression in Jeff Davis County, located approximately 8.5 miles south of Kent. The Nunn Fire started on March 28, 2022 at approximately 3:00 pm in mountainous terrain. Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) is in unified command with Fort Davis, Cherry Creek, and DMR volunteer fire departments. The fire is burning in grass and brushy fuels with high potential for growth. In addition to TAMFS and local resources, a strike team of Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) engines is present to assist. Aviation resources have been requested for

 Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) received a request for assistance on a large wildfire in Throckmorton County close the the Haskell County line. The Doe fire is showing a moderate rate of spread being wind driven with an initial size up estimating 200 acres. TAMFS is working in unified command with local responders on suppression efforts and constructing line around the fire, additionally air attack was requested for air support and large air tankers (LAT) have been used to make retardant drops along active head of the fire slowing the rate of spread. Dry conditions and high winds are contributing to the fire

On the Trabuco Ranger District in the Holy Jim Canyon area, the Jim Fire began March 2, 2022, at approximately 11:06 a.m. U.S. Forest Service firefighters responded with fire engines, hand crews, and air resources, assisted by the Orange County Fire Authority and Cal Fire Riverside Unit resources. The fire started in a drainage bottom and spread uphill, consuming approximately 500 acres of vegetation. The Jim Fire investigation has concluded. U.S. Forest Service investigators determined the fire was unintentionally ignited during a Forest Service-sponsored wildlife and habitat restoration maintenance project during barrier removal. No structures were destroyed. Three minor injuries to firefighters have been reported. The fire was declared out on Sunday March 27, 2022. 553 acres, 100%

 The Dean Fire started on March 29, 2022 at approximately 3:00 pm. It is located in Cochran County just off of county road 1585.The Texas A&M Forest service is in unified command with the local

The Veterans Lake Fire started as a controlled burn (brush pile) on private land on Saturday evening, March 19, 2022. It escaped containment at approximately 6:30pm on Sunday, March 20, 2022 and spread quickly into Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Multiple departments have engaged the fire since it escaped on March 20. Closures are in effect within Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Please visit the "News" tab for the latest

Each year the Cleveland National Forest conducts prescribed burns from January to May 2022, if weather and fuel moisture conditions permit. The objectives of the projects are to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire to people and communities, create conditions which offer a safer and more effective wildfire response, foster more resilient ecosystems, and minimize the effects of large wildfires on the landscape. In fiscal year 2022, the Forest's target for fuels reduction is 3,500 acres. 2,000 acres of planned prescribed fire, and 1,500 acres of mechanical treatments which is a combination of mastication, cut and pile with chainsaws.When implementing these projects, fire managers follow a burn plan that outlines the “prescription” or environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, ventilation and relative humidity that need to be present before the project begins. When the criteria are met, crews implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets the...

 3/28 Prescribed Fire Update: Everything looking good with Upper Cane Burn. Ridge Road is now open to the public for use. BLM Fire Crews will continue to monitor.....precipitation expected in the

The Hayfield South Fire has been turned back to the King Ranch staff who will patrol and monitor.  Texas A&M Forest Service resources have been released. Today's posting will be the final

Pending favorable conditions, fire managers on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) may implement prescribed fire on multiple units on the Kiowa Rita Blanca Ranger District as early as Fri., March 25th and possibly continue thru Fri., April 15th if necessary.The decision to proceed continues to depend on multiple factors, including resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. Prescribed burns are designed to meet specific objectives and are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority. Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems and reducing the risk of high-severity wildfire. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and

Firefighters are currently engaged in wildfire suppression in Erath County, located approximately 15 miles northeast of Stephenville, TX. The Big L Fire started on March 20, 2022 at approximately 2:00 pm under extreme fire conditions. Texas A&M Forest Service is in unified command with local fire departments. The fire is burning in grass and brushy fuels with high potential for growth. Multiple aviation resources are present on the fire. A TFR is in place NOTAM 2/6839.

This spring Monongahela National Forest officials plan to conduct a prescribed burn on 1,119 acres of National Forest System land in the Peach Orchard area, northwest of Blue Bend Recreation Area in Greenbrier County.Why do we burn?Reintroducing fire into the forest will:Restore historic fire regimesImprove wildlife habitatEnhance forest structure and age diversityImprove oak regenerationControl tree diseases and insectsReduce hazardous fuel levelsHow do we manage a prescribed burn?Fire managers prepare a burn plan for each prescribed burn describing the appropriate conditions needed to conduct the burn safely and achieve the desired results. Burn plans consider public safety, protection of private property, staffing and equipment needs, temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and smoke dispersal. Appropriate conditions must be met before igniting prescribed burns. A control line is established around each burn area before ignition, using hand tools and other...

This spring Monongahela National Forest officials plan to conduct a prescribed burn on 405 acres of National Forest System land in the Lick Mountain area, west of Neola in Greenbrier County.Why do we burn?Reintroducing fire into the forest will:Restore historic fire regimesImprove wildlife habitatEnhance forest structure and age diversityImprove oak regenerationControl tree diseases and insectsReduce hazardous fuel levelsHow do we manage a prescribed burn?Fire managers prepare a burn plan for each prescribed burn describing the appropriate conditions needed to conduct the burn safely and achieve the desired results. Burn plans consider public safety, protection of private property, staffing and equipment needs, temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and smoke dispersal. Appropriate conditions must be met before igniting prescribed burns. A control line is established around each burn area before ignition, using hand tools and other equipment, roads, trails, and...

The Crews Gap fire started along the Runnels and Coleman County line. High winds and low humidity levels produced extreme fire behavior causing the wildfire to move quickly across the landscape. The local community of Glen Cove was threatened and evacuated, but there is no longer a threat to the community. Aviation resources were heavily utilized throughout the response efforts. Texas A&M Forest Service is in unified command with local responders.  On March 17, 2022, the fire escaped containment lines on the east side due to high winds that caused fire activity to pick up during the afternoon. Forward progression was quickly stopped and fire crews along with aviation were able to get containment line around the active portion of the fire.