Single Publication

Storage Fire

June 30, 2023

9:00 a.m.

Size: 1000 acres

Containment: 30%

Start Date: June 28, 2023

Cause: Under Investigation, Human Caused

Evacuations: There are Mandatory Evacuations in place for the communities of Gaines Bend, Sportsman's World, and Hell's Gate. Residents should stay out of these areas as fire crews will be continuing to work in them with Bulldozers, Aircraft, and Engines.

There is a TFR in place over the Storage Fire currently and no aircraft, including drones, are allowed in the area. It is important for everyone to remember that if you fly, we can’t.

Last night fire personnel were able to build containment lines around large portions of the new growth but were not able to completely line parts of the fire. Additionally several contingency lines, additional lines constructed outside of the initial containment line in case the fire jumps the containment line, were constructed around parts of the fire. Engine crews were able to mop up several areas around the head of the fire and closest to the evacuated neighborhoods

This morning fire crews are going back to work to finish constructing containment lines directly next to the fire edge to try and stop any further spread. Additional engine strike teams from TIFMAS and several neighboring counties have arrived on scene and are going to be working today to continue mopping-up, or putting out any active flames and heat sources they can find. Aerial resources are going to be utilized heavily this morning to further help reduce the chance of this fire jumping containment lines again. Large Air tankers will drop Fire Retardant, a chemical designed to slow fire spread, in front of the head of the fire to give crews more time to construct containment lines. Also, two helicopters from Texas Military Department will be on-scene today using buckets to drop water on any hot areas of the fire edge.

We can confirm that an outbuilding was damaged yesterday afternoon during the fire’s spread. No injuries have been reported at this time.