A brush fire in Parker County has burned about 207 acres of grass and oak timber as firefighters work to contain the flames near the Brazos River.
The Red Bank Fire began Tuesday morning west of Horseshoe Bend and was 70% contained as crews continued battling hotspots Wednesday morning, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The fire is burning near Red Bank Road, where crews are using bulldozers and water to slow its spread.
Firefighters Battle Difficult Terrain
Emergency crews have been working along the fire’s western and eastern edges, using dozers to establish containment lines and water to suppress the flames.
An aerial attack helped bring the fire under control quickly, but firefighters continued working to contain remaining areas of the blaze.
“The biggest challenge right now is the terrain. It’s very hilly. It’s very difficult to access,” Emergency Management Specialist Dylan McFarland said, NBC 5 DFW reported.
McFarland said several dozers from the Texas A&M Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service were brought in to establish additional fire lines and help keep the fire contained overnight.
Small aircraft also dropped fire retardant during the response.
Homes Near Fire But No Evacuations Reported
Homes, vehicles, and other structures are located near the fire, but no evacuations had been ordered as of Wednesday morning.
The aerial firefighting effort helped protect nearby homes and animals, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The fire has primarily burned brush and grassland.
Parker County property owner Barry Phennig said residents have been concerned about wildfire conditions after a particularly dry summer.
Phennig said winds appeared to be pushing the fire toward his home before its progression changed. He said fires have become a daily concern for residents because of the dry conditions across North Texas.
Fire Tornadoes Seen Near Blaze
Firefighters also reported seeing fire tornadoes as they worked to control hotspots.
A fire tornado differs from a conventional tornado because it does not need to be connected to a storm cloud. Instead, it can form when intense heat from a fire produces a powerful rotating updraft.
As hot air rises, surrounding winds can stretch and tighten the rotation. The resulting vortex can carry flames, smoke, and embers downwind and potentially contribute to faster fire spread.
Ross Fire Still Burning After Three Weeks
The Red Bank Fire comes as another major North Texas wildfire continues to burn.
The Ross Fire, which started on August 24 in Palo Pinto County, has burned at least 90,400 acres and was 93% contained as of Tuesday, September 15, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The fire has affected Palo Pinto and Jack counties near U.S. 180 and FM 919. At least 157 structures have been destroyed, 140 damaged, and 453 saved, according to the latest figures.
The National Weather Service has described the Ross Fire as the second-largest wildfire in North Texas.
Dry Conditions Keep Wildfire Risk Elevated
The Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer shows ten active fires in the state, including the Hydra Fire in Bosque County, which has burned 1,100 acres and is 25% contained, as of Wednesday morning.
Officials continue to warn that dry vegetation, limited rainfall, and gusty winds are creating elevated wildfire conditions across parts of North Texas.
After more than a month without measurable rainfall, fine surface fuels have become critically to extremely dry, making vegetation easier to ignite and allowing fires to spread rapidly.
Residents are being urged to avoid outdoor activities that could create sparks or flames as firefighters continue monitoring wildfire conditions across the region.
