Single Publication

Moonshine Fire

News - 09/10/2023

Size: 2,306 acres

Containment: 100%

Cause: Undetermined

Currently

At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance on a fire burning approximately 10 miles East of the town of Seymore, in Baylor County, Texas. The Cowlan Fire is burning in juniper and mesquite shrub as well as grass vegetation. The fire had exhibited extreme fire behavior making several runs with the column plume dominated.

Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System are working in unified command with local responders. Aircraft have assisted crews on the ground by making strategic drops of retardant and water to slow the flanks and head of the fire. Crews are working hard to construct containment line as several spotted thunderstorms in the area are creating sporadic wind shifts.

Today: Dozer crews tied in and improved all containment lines around the fire. Engine crews continued to patrol and mop up along the containment lines removing any hotspots that could potentially be a problem.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Light rain showers will be possible in the next couple hours which could bring wind gusts near 30 mph with erratic wind direction at times. Otherwise, mostly dry conditions are expected for the remainder of the day with relative humidity dropping into the 25-30% range during the afternoon. Expect a prevailing southeast wind direction at 15-20 mph through much of the day outside of shower or thunderstorm activity. Additional showers and storms are expected tonight into tomorrow morning.

Evacuations: Residents around Lake Kemp were evacuated yesterday, September 9th, but were allowed back in later that evening, no more evacuations took place after that.

Damages/Injuries: None at this time.

Closures: None at this time