Single Publication

Hill Top Fire

News - 08/21/2023

Size: 200 acres

Containment: 85%

Start Date: August 18, 2023

Cause: Lightning

Incident Commander: Keith Mousel

Management Team: Florida Gold Team

Current Situation:

Today, crews will continue constructing and improving containment lines around the fire, using engines and hand crews to patrol and mop-up areas still containing burning material within 200 feet of containment lines. Bulldozers will continue to connect containment lines where possible and hand crews will be utilized when the terrain becomes too steep for heavy equipment.

Weather:

Forecasted weather for today includes continued hot and dry conditions with increased wind speeds, which is an added component that could test containment lines across the fire area. If fire activity increases, continued aviation support of the fire may be required. Residents and visitors to the area are likely to see dust devils and some smoke in the burn area as winds increase out of the southeast. Fire managers are aware of this possibility and are prepared should the fire break containment.

Evacuations and Closures:

There are no evacuations at this time, but citizens are encouraged to refer to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page for more information.

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place for the area over the fire, [NOTAM: FDC 3/8262,https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_8262.html Please avoid the area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft.

Emergency Alerts:

Taylor County Commissioners Court implemented a county-wide burn ban for Taylor County effective immediately July 18, 2023 for 90 days or until substantial rainfall has saturated all areas within the County.

Alert Center • Taylor County, TX • CivicEngage (texas.gov)

Damages and Injuries: 

Significant damage to powerlines and to a repeater building were noted by fire managers on 8/19. The repeater building was largely abandoned except for a room being utilized by the Potosi Volunteer Fire Department. No other structure damage or loss has been reported. Two injuries have been reported on this fire, but both were minor, and the firefighters were treated and allowed to return to duty.