Wildfire

Fire officials on the Sacramento Ranger District in Cloudcroft, NM, plan to implement prescribed fire operations on the 16 Springs Prescribed Fire project beginning in March and carrying into April of 2022. The 16 Springs Prescribed Fire is targeting 564 acres and is located on federal land five miles north of Mayhill, NM.  The project lies within the Dry Burnt Canyon. Exact ignition dates will be dependent upon weather and fuel moisture conditions. Fire managers will monitor conditions closely to ensure that they fall within acceptable ranges before beginning the burn. Optimal conditions result in good ventilation and smoke dispersal, as well as help achieve the desired effects needed to accomplish forest restoration and improve the health of the forest. The purpose of this project is woodland restoration and enhancement of ponderosa pine stands by reducing ground and ladder fuels, which in turn will reduce the severity of wildland fire in the future.  This could help aid in...

Throughout winter and spring fire personnel on the Lincoln National Forest will be prescribe burning in the La Luz and Maruche Canyons on the Sacramento Ranger District in Otero County as conditions allow. Approximately 146 acres of slash piles are planned for burning in the area. The prescribed burn area is about 3-4 miles north of High Rolls.  Prescribed fire, including pile burning, reduces the risk of severe wildfire and allow less intense fire to play its natural role in a frequent-fire ecosystem like the Lincoln National Forest. Fuel treatments, such as prescribed burns, are an effective way to slow wildfires and moderate fire behavior. The decision to implement a specific prescribed burn depends on multiple conditions, including the firefighter availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality, smoke dispersal, and

Firefighters have responded to a wildfire in Jim Wells County, located west of Alice off of County Road 144, north of Hwy 44. Texas A&M Forest Service is currently in unified command with local fire departments. Forward progression of the fire has been stopped and one structure was threatened and saved. Local fire departments are on scene engaged in mop up operations. TAMFS engines and heavy equipment are constructing and securing containment line along the fire perimeter.The fire ignited and spread under Red Flag conditions present

This page will no longer be updated. Firefighters are currently engaged in wildfire suppression in Howard County, located on the eastern side of the town of Big Spring on Birdwell Lane. The Birdwell Fire started on March 20, 2022 at approximately 3:00 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. In addition to TAMFS and local resources, a strike team of TIFMAS engines is present to assist. Aviation resources have been requested for assistance. Residents in the area are being evacuated. (3/20/22 @ 3pm)

 The Wells 2 fire started at roughly 2:00 PM on March 20th, off of FM 440 just East of Holliday. The fire grew rapidly because of high winds, and made a push for US HWY 277. Home were evacuated but as of now the fire has checked up to US HWY 277, but has not crossed. Aviation resources have been used in addition to Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) and local responder working in unified command on the

This page will no longer be updated.Firefighters are currently engaged in wildfire suppression in McMullen County, located approximately 24 miles southwest of Jourdanton. The Three Sections Fire started on March 20, 2022 at approximately 2:15 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 on scene assisting with containment efforts. 

This page will no longer be updated. For further information on the Cedar Mountain Fire, go to the Eastland Complex InciWeb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8010/  The Cedar Mountain fire started at 3:00pm off I-20 and spread to the north towards Highway 6 and Cisco. Local resources responded and began suppression along with resources from the Eastland Complex. With the high winds and low humidity fire behavior is very active burning through critically dry fuels. Fire has jumped highway 6 and is burning towards the North

This page will no longer be updated. For further information on the Blowing Basin Fire, go to the Eastland Complex InciWeb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8010/ The Blowing Basin Fire started at 12:30 pm North East of Cross Plains, TX. The fire quickly began burning through tall grass and thick oaks in the area. Resources from the Wheat Field fire on the Eastland Complex and local resources quickly responded to the fire and began suppression. High winds and low humidity will make fire behavior challenging for firefighters

 Indiana Dunes National Park is planning 6 prescribed fires for the Spring of

 The 3 Oaks fire started around 3pm on March 14th, 2022. Local Fire departments responded quickly and requested Texas A&M Forest Service. Two task forces responded to the fire and brought air resources on scene to begin suppressing the fire. This fire quickly grew larger due to the high winds and is reported to be six miles long and two miles wide. Extreme fire behavior was showcased the first night including active runs, long distance spotting, and 30 foot flame

The Christine Fire started at 2:35 PM on March 15th. Local fire departments quickly got on scene and began work. Texas A&M Forest Service was requested for support and arrived on scene with heavy equipment. The fire is largely fuel driven and is burning south of the town of Christine, TX. The fire was caused by a roadside start that moved into the tall grass and brush that is driving the fire. Weather conditions in the area will continue to be problematic tonight and in to tomorrow for

The Hippy Ridge Fire started around 3:00 pm near Boonsville Texas. Local fire departments quickly arrived on scene and began work to contain the fire. Texas A&M Forest Service assistance was requested at 5:00 pm to bring heavy equipment and aerial resources for suppression. Wise County is currently under a red flag warning until 9:00 pm this evening, high winds and low humidity will continue in to tonight before recovering. Several structures were threatened as the fire burned through the fuel in the many creeks in the area. Aerial resources were utilized to help on this

Firefighters have responded to a wildfire in Jim Wells County located north of Sandia off of Hwy 359. The fire was actively burning crossed Hwy 359. Texas A&M Forest Service is in unified command with local fire departments. Numerous local fire departments are engaged in fire suppression and conducted structure protection on threatened structures. No occupied structures were lost. Two TAMFS Strike Teams utilized heavy equipment and engines to construct containment line and suppress the fire. Aerial resources were also engaged in water and retardant drops. Three Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) performed retardant drops with an Air Attack (AA) providing guidance and surveillance of the fire. A Type 1 Helicopter also made several water drops. Aerial resources were very beneficial in reducing fire progression and forward progression has been stopped.Ground resources remain engaged on the fire, constructing and improving containment line and mitigating hot

The Calvin Fire started on March 13, 2022. It originated in a field approximately 15 miles south of Archer City, Texas. State resources from Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) were requested to assist local responders. TAMFS dozers from Boomtown Task Force are on the scene and  have begun constructing containment line. Air resources are also on the scene and are conducting air operations. Fire is estimated to be approximately 200 acres, elevated fire conditions, rough terrain, and heavy brush have contributed to the fire spreading rapidly. TAMFS is working in unified command with local

The Miller Fire, located off Highway 281 near Falfurrias in Brooks County, started on the afternoon of March 4, 2022. Multiple local fire departments responded to assist with the wildfire along with state resources from Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS). Texas A&M Forest Service is currently in unified command with the local jurisdiction.The fire ignited under warm, dry, and conditions with dry vegetation and was actively burning with extreme fire behavior. Coordinated efforts from aerial and ground resources proved to be very effective in slowing fire progression. Aviation resources, including three Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), a Type 1 Helicopter, and an Air Attack (AA) assisted ground crews with retardant and water drops to slow the spread of the fire and protect residential structures. Forward progression was stopped. A shelter has been set up at the Ed Rachel Memorial Library located at 203 S Calixto Ave in Falfurrias. American...

The Groove fire began on the afternoon of March 5, 2022 under dry and windy conditions in Duval County, west of Benavides near Hwy 16 and County Road 310. The fire spread quickly under windy conditions and very active fire behavior. Texas A&M Forest Service responded with dozers and engines with crews to support suppression efforts. TAMFS is in unified command with local resources. Aerial resources were also utilized with an Air Attack (AA) offering aerial surveillance and a Type 1 Helicopter performing water bucket drops. Numerous fire departments were also on scene with additional departments and agencies providing support to the incident. The coordinated effort of aerial and ground resources was effective and fire behavior diminished. Dozer work to construct and complete containment line along the fire perimeter while engine crews conduct patrol and mop up of the

On 3/03/2022 a wildfire started in Potter County off of Highway 287. Potter County Fire Rescue, National Parks Service, and Texas A&M Forest Service are on scene. Fire is estimated at 60 acres and growing. The Fain Gas plant has been evacuated at this

On March 4, 2022, the Rest Stop Fire originated at the rest stop on I44, west of the town of Iowa Park, Texas. Iowa Park VFD requested assistance from Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) due to access issues. TAMFS dozers from Boomtown Task Force, along with Texas Intrastate Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Team, are on scene assisting with containment efforts. Elevated fire conditions, rough terrain, and heavy brush have contributed to the fire spreading rapidly. The fire is in Wildland Urban Interface, 4 structures were identified, 2 of those structures were directly saved by responders, but 1 outbuilding was lost in the fire.While there are no road closures or evacuation orders, it is discouraged for non-responders to drive around the area due to emergency vehicles in the area and low visibility from the smoke. TAMFS is working in unified command with local

Firefighters have responded to the Oak Mott Fire located three miles north of Raymondville on the east side of HWY 77. Texas A&M Forest Service is on scene in unified command with local departments. The fire was actively burning. Numerous local fire departments are on scene engaged suppression support. Texas A&M Forest Service heavy equipment as well as privately owned heavy equipment will assist ground resources in constructing containment line. Aerial resources were also requested. A Type 1 Helicopter performed water drops on the head of the fire to slow fire progression. An Air Attack (AA) was also on scene to provide aerial support and surveillance.  A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been