Single Publication

Big Iron Fire Daily Update

July 28, 2023

5:00 pm

Size: 129 acres

Containment: 100%

Date Started: July 24, 2023

Cause: Unknown 

State resources from Texas A&M Forest (TAMFS) and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) achieved 100% containment of the Big Iron Fire late yesterday. All personnel have been released from the fire and oversight of the area has been transitioned to the Rocksprings Fire Department (FD).  

Yesterday, personnel continued patrolling and extinguishing any burning or smoking material remaining along the fire containment line. At 12:52 pm, personnel re-mapped the fire boundary, after removing an unburned pocket with more direct dozer line, determining the area was actually 129 acres. By 4:00pm, there were a few internal pockets holding heat but nothing threatened the line. Crews continued to patrol until the end of shift, when the fire was transitioned back to the local fire department. Locals will continue to monitor the fire in coordination with the property owners until the fire is controlled. Control date is estimated to be August 01 at 8:00pm.

Hot and dry weather continued today, with moderate south winds and minimum humidity around 24 percent. Similar weather is expected Saturday, but even hotter weather may arrive Sunday into early next week. Wildfire potential will remain high for a broad area of Texas through the end of next week as the strong area of high pressure continues to assert its dominance over Texas.  Temperatures of 100-105°F will continue to drive moisture out of live and dead fuel nearly statewide, increasing the scope of dry to critically dry fuel that can support wildfire activity.