8:45 PM Update: Brownwood City Manager Emily Crawford released the following update –
Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright estimates that 400-500 acres have been burned, and the fire is about 50% contained. Currently, there are unsecure fire lines and bull dozers will be working around the perimeter during the night. Cooler night temperatures has caused the fire to subside some, but the fire is expected to continue into tomorrow.
Several houses have been saved by the firefighting crews, and none have been burned.
The Texas A&M Forest Service will be taking over incident command tonight.
FM 1176 is closed and will remain closed overnight.
6:55 PM Update: The Texas Forest Services is reporting that the fire is approximately 400 acres and has minimal containment at this time.
6:15 PM Update: Brownwood City Manager Emily Crawford released the following update on the fire.
There is currently a grass fire in Brown County located in the area of FM 1176 and CR 190. There are nine fire departments, Texas A&M Forest Service, TIFMAS (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System) and helicopters working the fire.
The City of Brownwood Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator, Del Albright, is requesting all vehicles and onlookers avoid FM 1176 and CR 190 in Brown County. This creates an unsafe environment for the emergency responders and onlookers. Roads need to be clear for emergency vehicles.
Original Story: Multiple agencies are responding to a large grass fire approximately 5 miles southwest of Brownwood Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters from Brown and Coleman Counties as well as the Texas Forest Service were on scene Thursday afternoon. Eastland and McCulloch County firefighters were also on standby.
The fire began before 4 PM on the Horsepower Ranch on County Road 201 and quickly spread, crossing FM 1176 and moving toward CR 190. Traffic has been shut down on FM 1176 as the fire spread.
The Texas Forest Service was called to drop fire retardant from the air to combat the spread of the fire and ground forces are working to protect nearby homes. Several houses are being evacuated in the area of the fire. Volunteers from the Salvation Army are providing support of ice water to firefighters.
The large smoke plume could be seen from Brownwood and the surrounding areas.
More information will be published when available on this developing story.
