Single Publication

July 30, 2023

5:00 pm 

Size: 235 acres

Containment: 85%

Date Started: July 27, 2023

Cause: Unknown 

The Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) in coordination with the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System Strike Team (TIFMAS), McGregor Task Force (TF) and the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department began work on July 27th to contain the Classic Canyon Fire. On July 28th, fire activity was low, dozer containment lines were completed and engine crews continued patrol and mop up. At end of shift, there was 65% containment.

Yesterday: 

The McGregor TF dozer and operator were released from the Classic Canyon Fire at 9:00am on July 29th. The TIFMAS and McGregor TF engine crew continued patrolling and holding the fireline. By 11:00 am, the McGregor engine crew was released and the fire was transitioned to new Incident Commander K. Cole. The fire perimeter has been more accurately mapped and now shows fire size to be 235 Acres. 85% containment at end of shift.

Today: 

At 9:00am on July 30th, Incident Commander K. Cole with the McGregor TF transferred command to D. Pennington with TAMFS. Three engines from the McGregor TF and three from the TAMFS Strike Team are patrolling the containment area and extinguishing any hot areas along the line. Containment still at 85%

Weather and Fire Behavior: 

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue through Monday with high temperatures near 103 and minimum humidity between 20-25%. Today, light winds from the southwest will shift to southeasterly later in the day and relative humidity recovery is expected to be around 60% by early Monday morning.

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.  Periods of elevated fire weather combined with dry to critically dry fuel beds will support moderate potential for significant fires that are highly resistant to control efforts for the Western/Eastern Hill Country, Cross Timbers, Southeast Texas, Western Pineywoods, and Central Texas. Fuel dryness continues to build north and west across Texas, expanding the risk of increased wildfire activity into regions that have had limited wildfire activity in July.