Wildfire in San Jacinto County Prompts Dozens of Evacuations
Firefighters and emergency management crews were working Wednesday to contain and extinguish a wildfire in San Jacinto County in the Sam Houston National Forest that prompted dozens of evacuations, according to social media posts from local emergency management authorities.
Pauline Road Fire
Known as the Pauline Road fire, the blaze was only 10% contained as of early Thursday morning with roughly 2,000 acres burning. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said in a Facebook post that overnight fire crews were able to protect the area in the path of the “massive fire,” resulting in no structures being damaged as of 5:25 a.m. Thursday.
At daybreak Thursday, Keough said more fire resources would be deployed to contain the fire.
Evacuations and Firefighting Efforts
According to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, residents in nearby subdivisions were told to leave the area as firefighters struggled to get the blaze under control. Mandatory evacuations in both Montgomery and San Jacinto counties remained in effect Thursday.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Weather Conditions
A large swath of the state, including portions of North and West Texas, is under an elevated fire threat because of dry, windy conditions that have in recent days gripped the state, leaving many areas parched and in drought-like conditions.
Keough said in the post that weather conditions were not expected to be favorable Thursday.
“We expect significant wind gust today with low humidity and warmer temperatures,” Keough said. “This will make firefighting difficult. We are under a red flag warning today as a result of the forecast. But the entire county’s resources and state assets are working around the clock to protect property and people.”
Other Wildfires in Texas
The National Weather Service for southeast Texas said on the social media platform X that it had detected possible wildfires Wednesday afternoon in northeastern Trinity County and southern San Jacinto County.
The confirmed fire in San Jacinto County was burning in an area that is about 60 miles north of Houston.
Forecasters said wind gusts were ranging Wednesday night around 25 miles per hour but expected to diminish during the night.
The Texas A&M Forest Service reported Wednesday that they responded to 14 new wildfires as of Tuesday that burned 18,518 acres across Texas.
One fire near Borger, in the state’s panhandle, cut power, led to evacuations and threatened 1,201 homes late Tuesday, according to the city’s post on Facebook.
“Through quick response and collaborative effort from many departments around our region, the fire remained outside of the City limits, and we did not lose any of those 1201 homes,” the city said Wednesday.
Conclusion
The wildfire in San Jacinto County is a serious situation that requires immediate attention and action. The firefighters and emergency management crews are working tirelessly to contain and extinguish the fire, and the public is advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
FAQs
Q: What is the current status of the Pauline Road fire?
A: The fire is currently 10% contained, with roughly 2,000 acres burning.
Q: Are there any evacuations in effect?
A: Yes, mandatory evacuations are in effect in both Montgomery and San Jacinto counties.
Q: What are the weather conditions like?
A: The weather conditions are not favorable, with significant wind gusts, low humidity, and warmer temperatures expected.
Q: Are there any other wildfires in Texas?
A: Yes, there are several other wildfires burning across the state, including one near Borger that threatened 1,201 homes.
Q: How can I stay safe during a wildfire?
A: Follow the instructions of local authorities, stay informed about the fire’s location and spread, and take necessary precautions such as evacuating the area if instructed to do so.
