BURNS CREEK FIRE 95 PERCENT CONTAINED

  

Update @ 8 a.m. Thursday: Firefighters are coming closer to wrapping up at the site of the Burns Creek Fire near Lake Somerville.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reported the fire was 95 percent contained as of 9:45 p.m. Wednesday.  The fire has held at 397 acres.

The Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Department says all control lines held during high winds Wednesday evening.  The fire area did not receive any rainfall.

Approximately 35 local, state and federal firefighters will be working at the scene throughout today (Thursday).

Update @ 8 a.m. Wednesday: The Burns Creek Fire near Lake Somerville is nearing full containment.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, the Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Department reports the fire is holding at 90 percent containment and remains at 397 acres.

Evacuation orders for residents living on Schulenberg Lane were lifted Tuesday afternoon.

Update @ 2 p.m. Tuesday: Residents who were displaced by the Burns Creek Fire near Lake Somerville can now return home.

The Washington County Office of Emergency Management says the evacuation orders for those living on Schulenberg Lane have been lifted.  The orders had been in place since Sunday evening.

Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Assistant Chief Tim Hamff says the fire is 80 percent contained as of 2 p.m. today (Tuesday).  The fire remains at 397 acres.

Original Story @ 7:20 a.m. Tuesday: The Burns Creek Fire near Lake Somerville is now reported to be at 397 acres, but is 60 percent contained.

At a 4 p.m. press conference Monday, Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Assistant Chief Tim Hamff said two homes and numerous outbuildings were lost, but 11 homes were saved.  Thirteen homes on Schulenberg Lane were evacuated, and were still evacuated as of Monday afternoon.

There has been no loss of life or injuries.  The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Hamff said crews are engaged in operations to keep the fire in check.

 

Fifteen volunteer fire departments from across the Brazos Valley responded to the fire, along with 46 personnel from the Texas A&M Forest Service.  That includes two TIFMAS strike teams and a total of 11 aircraft.

Hamff said most of the uncontained area is wildlife, with not many homes.  He said members of the community helped to move local residents’ animals out of the area when the fire began.  One of the main concerns at this point is how the weather affects the fire.

Hamff said firefighters are helped by the fact that the fire has traveled toward the lake.

 

Right now, firefighters are good on donations, and they thank everyone for their support.  Hamff said any items not used during this incident will be redistributed for other incidents in the area.