1 PM Update: The Tejano Canyon Fire is now 95% contained. According to Mike Ferris, Public Information Officer, the Texas Forest service did not declare the fire 100% contained yesterday, as was initially estimated. Due to the hot weather and dry conditions, crews “want to continue mopping up and eliminate all hot spots” before calling the fire contained, said Ferris. “We’re being extra cautious.”
Containment lines have been in place for several days, and there has been no increase in acreage since Monday. Currently, the active areas of the fire are well within containment lines. Today, task forces and hand crews are on hand today to “grid” the fire, which means crews will be systematically patrolling containment lines and checking for hot spots. Ferris said crews would be working anywhere from 50 to 200 feet inward from the fire containment lines.
Ferris also warned that people may see some smoke popping up from within the fire area near Madera Canyon.
“If you do see smoke in that area, it’s probably in the interior of the fire. But if you think there’s a running wildfire, call 911,” said Ferris.
4 PM Update: KRTS spoke with Mike Ferris again this evening. According to Ferris, today crews sought out and eliminated hot spots within the containment like. There are still 140 fire fighters on the ground.
The US and Texas Forest Service are working with the Nature Conservancy and Fort Davis Volunteer Fire department to bring fire fighting operations to a close. Additionally, the Los Diablos Fire Crew, of Big Bend National Park, assisted with containment. They headed back to the park today, and Ferris expressed the Forest Service's thanks for their help with the Tejano Canyon Fire.
Tomorrow (Thursday, June 9) crews will continue patrolling within containment lines.
Ferris also told KRTS that State Fire Marshal Billingsley is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.