Single Publication

August 10, 2023

Size: 1,320 acres

Containment: 95%

Date Started: August 6, 2023

Cause: Welding 

Structures: There has been confirmation of three outbuildings lost.

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

The Double Back Fire started on August 6, 2023, and was responded to by multiple fire departments from Johnson County initially. Texas A&M Forest Service was requested for assistance at 3:00 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 Johnson, Hood, Erath, Bosque, Somervell, and Parker counties worked in Unified command with Texas A&M Forest Service, and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).

Closures: There are no road closures at this time.

Yesterday: Engine crews patrolled and monitored around the perimeter of the fire searching for any visible heat or flames. Minimal activity was observed, and crews suppressed any smokes they could find. All heavy equipment resources were released to be ready for additional starts here in North Texas and across the state.

Today: Engines from Texas A&M Forest Service and TIFMAS are going to patrol the fire area until noon today. After noon Johnson County fire departments will continue to patrol and check on this fire for the next several days to make sure that no further spread occurs. Some smoke will continue to appear over the course of the next several days as some material continues to burn inside the burn scar. Godley Fire department has determined that this fire was caused by either welding or grinding. If welding or grinding needs to occur, a spotter should be with the welder to watch for any fires that may start, and they should have a water can and tool with them to suppress those fires. Welding can be done safely with enough precautions and preparations in place.

Weather and Fire Behavior: High winds are expected again today with gusts between 25 and 30 mph. Temperatures and relative humidity should be similar to yesterday’s but will recover to 75% tonight. Very high to extreme fire danger will continue across North Texas for the next several days. There is a chance for lightning in the area, which has the potential to start new fires if there is not rain along with the lightning.

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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