Single Publication

Paint Crossing Fire Daily Update

Friday, August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

Size: 1,200 acres

Containment: 50%

Date Started: August 7, 2024

Cause: Under investigation

Structures: At this time crews have not identified any damaged structures.

Evacuations: There are no evacuations in place at this time.

The Paint Crossing Fire started on August 7, 2024, and initially was responded to by local fire departments from Throckmorton County. 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). Texas A&M Forest Service is currently in unified command with Throckmorton County fire departments.

Closures: There are no road closures at this time. 

Yesterday: Crews worked yesterday to complete and improve the initial containment lines around the perimeter of the fire and then constructed new lines to exclude unburned pockets of fuel, grass and brush, within those initial containment lines. Resources patrolled around the line searching out any areas of heat and extinguished them over the course of the day. A helicopter from the Texas Military Department was utilized to provide water drops on specific locations, providing large amounts of water quickly to ground resources. There was a small spot fire that was caught quickly yesterday, preventing any major fire growth.

Today: Firefighters are back on scene this morning and are reporting that the fire is in good condition, with no smokes visible. Crews will be patrolling around the fire today seeking out any areas of heat or threats to the containment lines and putting those areas out. This process is called mopping up, and it involves firefighters moving all the way around the firefighter and looking over every inch of ground for any heat, flames, or trees that may fall across the containment lines. Any areas that do have heat or flames will be worked, often by hand with aces, hoes, and shovels, and extinguished. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures are expected to be cooler today with a high around the mid-90s, and winds are expected to be light as a weak cold front moves across the fire area today. With higher humidities forecasted as well, this should create good conditions for firefighters to accomplish lots of good work today. There is a chance for thunderstorms in the area this evening which could produce high winds and dry lightning, potentially causing new fire starts. 

Fire Information 

Adam Turner                                                                            Information Officer

Public Information Officer, Texas A&M Forest Service               Texas A&M Forest Service                   

Email: adam.turner@tfs.tamu.edu                                             information@tfs.tamu.edu         

Phone: 940-328-9158                                                              979-255-0591

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/txtxs-paint-crossing

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