A wildfire that started Sunday near the Department of Public Safety (DPS) training center southeast of Florence is only partially contained as Williamson County crews work to extinguish the blaze.
Florence is about 40 miles north of Austin and 150 miles southwest of Dallas.
What is being referred to as the DPS fire consumed 180 acres and was 20% contained by 8:20 a.m. on July 4, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Williamson County Emergency Communications authorities first learned of a structure fire off Pecan Branch Road around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
DPS communication staff received word at 6:45 p.m. Sunday that the fire had advanced to the fence line of the training facility close to Florence.
No injuries were reported, and an investigation is ongoing to determine how the fire occurred.
Along with the Texas Forest Service, Texas DPS, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County EMS, and Williamson County Emergency Management, crews from the fire departments of Florence, Jarrell, Georgetown, Round Rock, Salado, and Bartlett responded to the blaze.
County officials ask the public to refrain from using drones in the vicinity as crews battle the fire.