Fire Northwest Of Midland Contained
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: March 22, 2011
MIDLAND COUNTY -- A grass fire that closed roads and forced some evacuations northwest of Midland Tuesday has been contained.
The fire broke out around 4:30 PM Tuesday near County Road 60 (Briarwood) and TX 158. The blaze spread quickly to the southwest, crossing County Road 60 and spreading.
Fire crews closed down County Road 60 between Holiday Hill Road and TX 158 as they worked to contain the blaze. Still, strong winds made it difficult to put out the fire and smoke. A total of 9 homes were evacuated as a precaution, although none of them were damaged. The blaze was also burning near the M.I.S.D. Bus Barn, and many of their buses were rerouted around the area.
The fire claimed 132 acres. The blaze also threatened at least 30 homes and 70 outbuildings. Crews worked to protect those structures first, and they evacuated 9 of the homes as a precaution. Fire crews were also concerned about strong winds that could potentially spread the fire further across dry grasses in the area.
The Texas Forest Service was also called in to help fight the fire. The Forest Service sent three bulldozers, one engine and overhead units to help contain the blaze after two hours.
No one was injured in the fire, and no structures were damaged. Some power lines were compromised, and crews set up barriers to protect them until they can be repaired.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The fire broke out around 4:30 PM Tuesday near County Road 60 (Briarwood) and TX 158. The blaze spread quickly to the southwest, crossing County Road 60 and spreading.
Fire crews closed down County Road 60 between Holiday Hill Road and TX 158 as they worked to contain the blaze. Still, strong winds made it difficult to put out the fire and smoke. A total of 9 homes were evacuated as a precaution, although none of them were damaged. The blaze was also burning near the M.I.S.D. Bus Barn, and many of their buses were rerouted around the area.
The fire claimed 132 acres. The blaze also threatened at least 30 homes and 70 outbuildings. Crews worked to protect those structures first, and they evacuated 9 of the homes as a precaution. Fire crews were also concerned about strong winds that could potentially spread the fire further across dry grasses in the area.
The Texas Forest Service was also called in to help fight the fire. The Forest Service sent three bulldozers, one engine and overhead units to help contain the blaze after two hours.
No one was injured in the fire, and no structures were damaged. Some power lines were compromised, and crews set up barriers to protect them until they can be repaired.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
