The Tejano Canyon Fire grew considerably today. According to Bruce Palmer, Public Information Office from the Texas Forest Service, the fire had burned about 4000 acres as of 4 PM. Today air and ground crew from the Texas Forest Service fought the blaze, along with Jeff Davis County fire departments. Aviation assets dropped both fire and retardant on the fire.
Winds have moved the active portion of the fire to the north and the east of the Davis Mountains Resort. Currently, the northern flank of the fire is a mile south of 118, and the eastern flank is 3 miles west of the McDonald Observatory. Several homes along 118 are threatened, but there are no calls for evacuations, and no injuries have been reported.
Crews will work through the night in an attempt to bring the fire under control.
Click for audio report below. Click headline for a slide show of the Tejano Canyon Fire at the DMR.
7 PM Update: According to Jim Fowler of the Fort Davis VFD, the south flank of the fire (the boundary between the DMR and fire) has been secured today. Crews will be doing burn out operations overnight along HWY 118 if conditions permit. This may mean late night closings of 118. Fire fighters have also put in a strong line along the eastern front of the fire in an effort to protect the McDonald Observatory.