BURNS CREEK FIRE NOW AT 397 ACRES, 60 PERCENT CONTAINMENT

  
(courtesy Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Dept.)

Update @ 4:00 p.m. Monday:  The Burns Creek Fire is now reported to be 397 acres and is 60 percent contained.  The cause of the fire is still unknown.  There are no fatalities or injuries.  Evacuation orders are still in place for Schulenberg Lane. Two primary residences were lost in the initial fire along with numerous out buildings, but firefighters were able to save 11 residences.  Fifteen volunteer fire departments from across the Brazos Valley are assisting along with 46 Texas Forest Service personnel.

Update @ 12 p.m. Monday: The Burns Creek Fire remains at 300 acres and 20 percent containment.  There are no fatalities or injuries.  Evacuation orders are still in place for Schulenberg Lane.

Crews worked throughout Sunday night cutting down trees to prevent fire spread outside the fire line.  The Texas A&M Forest Service has two STRIKE teams on scene, while Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative has six bucket trucks to assist in clearing rights-of-way and working to replace infrastructure damaged by the fire.  Air assets will be used on an as-needed basis.

Update @ 6 a.m. Monday: A grass fire south of Lake Somerville has grown to 300 acres and burned several homes as firefighters worked throughout Sunday night to contain the blaze.

The Burns Creek Fire is at an estimated 20 percent containment as of midnight, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

A release from the City of Brenham says local agencies were called around 2:30 p.m. Sunday to a 100-acre grass fire on Schulenberg Lane.  A late afternoon storm brought in heavy winds, causing the fire to spread quickly.

Thirteen structures were at risk, and an evacuation alert was given to all those on Schulenberg Lane.  Two homes are a loss, while two others have minor damage.  There are no fatalities or injuries.

Multiple agencies are involved, including all Washington County volunteer fire departments, the Somerville and Snook fire departments, the Forest Service, an incident management team and command bus from Bryan, and a total of 11 aircraft dropping fire retardant.  Emergency management officials and the Washington County CERT team are on the scene helping to rehab all working firefighters.

The city says Congressman Michael McCaul, Washington County Judge John Durrenberger, Washington County Commissioners, City Manager Carolyn Miller and the Brenham City Council have received a full situation report and continue to offer resources as needed.

Donations for the firefighters can be brought to the Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Department on Longpoint Road or the Brenham Fire Department on Chappell Hill Street.  Needed items include food, water, Gatorade/Powerade, ice, large trash bags, gallon-sized resealable bags, large packages of unscented baby wipes, phone charging cables, coolers on wheels and portable fans.

Families affected by the fire are encouraged to contact the Burton Bridge Ministry at 979-337-3370 for assistance.

 

Original Story @ 8 p.m. Sunday: Residents on Schulenberg Lane in Washington County are told to evacuate their homes as firefighters battle an over-100-acre grass fire.

The Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Department says several homes have burned in the fire, located off of FM 1948 to the southwest of Rocky Creek Park.  Residents have been evacuated from the Deep Water subdivision.

All Washington County volunteer fire departments have responded.  Personnel and resources from Brazos County and the Texas A&M Forest Service have been deployed, as well as helicopters and large aircraft to drop water and fire retardant.  Emergency management officials and the Washington County CERT team are also on scene to help rehab all working firefighters.

Donations of water or Gatorade/Powerade and snacks can be dropped off at the Brenham Fire Department.  The public is asked to avoid the scene.

It is not known at this time what caused the fire.

Click here to view updates from the Forest Service on the fire.

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3 Comments

  1. God Bless our Firefighters. Prayers to all who were in the path of this fire.

  2. Our deepest appreciation and continued prayers to our first responders along with other teams working tirelessly to contain the fire.

  3. Thank you for the update.
    Prayers for all who have been effected by these fires. Asking for prayers for the many heroes who are responding

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