Single Publication

August 22, 2023

Size: 855 acres

Containment: 90%

Date Started: August 21, 2023

Cause: Unknown

Structures: There has been confirmation of multiple structures lost at this time. We are still working to determine both overall number and type of structures.

Evacuations: There were voluntary evacuations in place initially but those have been since lifted.

The Cearley Fire started on August 21, 2023, and was responded to by multiple fire departments from Young County initially. Texas A&M Forest Service was requested for assistance at 3:30 p.m. and responded with aviation resources, heavy equipment, and engines from Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS). Multiple departments from Young, Wichita, Palo Pinto, and Archer counties worked in Unified command with Texas A&M Forest Service, Young County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).

Closures: There are no road closures at this time.

Yesterday: Engines from multiple local fire departments were able to slow down fire spread and protect multiple structures while aviation resources from Texas A&M Forest Service worked to lower fire activity using retardant and water from multiple types of air tankers and helicopters. Heavy equipment was able to begin containment line construction once fire activity was diminished and completely lined the entire fire by the end of the night. Engines from local fire departments, Texas A&M Forest Service, and TIFMAS worked around the perimeter of the fire to mop-up any heats they could find working to make sure there was no further fire spread last night.

Today: Resources from Texas A&M Forest Service, TIFMAS, and local fire departments are back on scene again this morning continuing to mop-up the perimeter of the fire. Heavy equipment will be working to clean up and improve some of the containment lines that were constructed last night. Some areas of the fire are still holding significant heat in larger fuels and will need additional work today to ensure no additional spread today.

Weather and Fire Behavior: High temperatures are expected again today along with a dry humidity similar to yesterday. Winds will be out of the East and South today around 10 miles per hour with occasional gusts up to 20 miles per hour this afternoon. All together this creates a conducive environment for additional fire spread and additional new starts across the county. Crews will be standing by from both Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments to respond to new fires that may start.

Fire Information

Adam Turner

Public Information Officer, Texas A&M Forest Service

Email: adam.turner@tfs.tamu.edu

Phone: 940-328-9158

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/txtxs-storage-fire

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