Update on Wildfire in Sam Houston National Forest
9:10 p.m. March 20, 2025: Updated to include new data.
Southeast Texas Residents Can Return Home
Southeast Texas residents who evacuated recently due to a wildfire in the Sam Houston National Forest can now return home, according to a local official.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said in a Facebook post early Thursday evening that the change applies to residents in both Montgomery and San Jacinto counties. The Pauline Road fire was 45% contained Thursday evening, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Firefighters’ Efforts
“Our firefighters are the best,” Keough said. “They got this raging inferno under control in less than 24 hours and remarkably only two structures were lost.”
Related: Some evacuations ordered as crews battle Pauline Road fire in Sam Houston National Forest
Fire Details
The Pauline Road fire, which was first detected Wednesday afternoon, grew to 2,360 acres Thursday afternoon, according to the forest service. It said helicopters have been working with ground crews to extinguish hotspots and build containment lines.
The judge issued a state of disaster for the county earlier Thursday, and the area was under a red flag warning until 7 p.m. amid high winds and low humidity.
Collaboration and Response
“Collaboration between the two counties has been outstanding and the unified incident command team has been outstanding for a incident that could have easily resulted in severe losses on both sides of the county line,” Keough said.
Related: What’s the difference between a red flag warning and a fire warning?
Federal Assistance and Other Fires
Gov. Greg Abbott also announced federal assistance Thursday in response to the blaze, which was burning in an area that is about 60 miles north of Houston.
The Pauline Road fire was one of over 40 fires burning across Texas Thursday evening, according to the forest service.
Among them, the Crabapple Fire — which started near Fredericksburg in Central Texas Saturday afternoon — was 98% contained Thursday after growing to almost 10,000 acres.
Conclusion
The situation in Southeast Texas is improving, and residents who evacuated can now return home. The efforts of the firefighters and the collaboration between the counties have been instrumental in controlling the fire. However, it’s essential to remain vigilant and aware of the ongoing fires in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of the Pauline Road fire?
A: The Pauline Road fire is 45% contained, and residents who evacuated can now return home.
Q: How many structures were lost in the fire?
A: Only two structures were lost in the fire, thanks to the efforts of the firefighters.
Q: What is a red flag warning?
A: A red flag warning is issued when there are high winds and low humidity, making it easier for fires to spread. You can learn more about the difference between a red flag warning and a fire warning in our related article.
Q: How many fires are currently burning in Texas?
A: There are over 40 fires burning across Texas, including the Pauline Road fire and the Crabapple Fire.
