Grass fire south of Cottonwood nearly contained, 2 homes, 1 structure saved

COTTONWOOD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Thanks to the swift response from six fire departments, the Texas A&M Forest Service, and the Callahan County Sheriff’s Office, three homes were saved from a grass fire just south of Cottonwood.

A fire broke out on Wednesday, August 6, in the 13000 block of County Road 429, just south of Cottonwood in Callahan County.

It was previously reported that at least six buildings were damaged. However, after better recon, the Texas A&M Forest Service changed it to:

• Two occupied homes saved
• One unoccupied home saved
• One RV that was lived in was lost
• Two pull-behind RV’s were lost

The Callahan County Sheriff’s Office and fire crews from Cross Plains, Baird, Rising Star, Burkett, Putnam, and Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Departments all responded to the blaze. Our reporter at the scene says the Texas A&M Forest Service deployed a drone and at least five construction vehicles to assist with containment.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Texas A&M Forest Service Region 1B-North Operations Chief, Nick Dawson, tells KTAB/KRBC that the tall grass from recent rains has begun to dry out, creating an abundance of fire fuel. He advises all to be on high alert for fire danger as the temperature continues to rise.

“I think now is a good time to start watching the weather, local entities, and watching this grass as it’s drying. The temperatures are gonna be higher…take that time to start cleaning up and knocking some of this grass down and get stuff away from their homes,” Dawson Said.

The fire burned approximately 5.5 acres and is 99% contained. No injuries or deaths were reported.