Grass fires burn 3,000+ acres in the Big Country

BIG COUNTRY, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – Mulitple grass fires have burned more than 3,000 acres in the Big Country. Take a look below at the status of each one.

Nugent Complex – Jones County

On August 7, a grass fire broke out about 13 miles south of Anson, quickly spreading to 1,000 acres and temperatures near 108 degrees.

State troopers, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, and the Anson, Lueders, and Stamford Fire Departments fought the fire north of County Road 348, located north of Lake Fort Phantom. On Wednesday, the fire had spread across both sides of FM 600.

KTAB/KRBC has received a report of a structure engulfed in flames, but officials have not confirmed this yet.

The Texas A&M Forest Service focused on life safety, structure protection, and creating containment lines where possible. The forest service has deployed fire boss single-engine air tankers to help ground crews by dropping water. As of 7:00 p.m. Thursday, the fire is 100% contained at 475 acres.

Paint Crossing Fire – Throckmorton County

The Paint Crossing fire began on August 7 and was initially responded to by local fire departments in Throckmorton County. At 3:00 p.m., Texas A&M Forest Service was requested for assistance and responded with aviation resources, heavy equipment, and engines from Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System.

Crews are using heavy equipment to build containment lines around the fire’s perimeter. Firefighters are making good progress, but the effort is slowed by challenging terrain and high temperatures. Work will continue through the night to capitalize on cooler temperatures and reduced fire activity, enabling resources to build more containment lines.

As of 4:00 p.m. on Friday, the fire is 2,362 acres and 75% contained.

Yellow Fork – Stephens County

Yellow Fork is situated north of Breckenridge, midway between Ivan and Crystal Falls. The fire spaned 207 acres and is 100% contained.

Hanger – Shackelford County

Hanger is located east of Albany near U.S. 180. It is 559 acres and 95% contained.

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