NEW: Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 1840 PT

Incident Summary

A new wildfire named the BLUM FIRE ignited today from an unknown source. It is located about 3.5 miles south of Blum, Texas. The Texas A&M Forest Service was called this afternoon to respond to the wildfire just before (1449) 1500 hours PT on July 26, 2023, with aircraft and resources. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation. About 250 acres have been and are listed at a 0% containment status.

(L) Photo Courtesy: Inciweb

Threatened

Resources responding immediately put structure protection in place, as about 25 homes in the area have been under direct threat and prompting voluntary evacuations in the town of Blum, Texas.

Resources

There are about 100 total personnel assigned to this incident. Resources include those from local Fire Departments and those with local TX A&M Forest Service crews, and aviation assets with a TX Intrastate Fire Mutual Ai System Strike Team on order. The IC is M. Schlaefer, with the Texas A&M Forest Service and they are in Unified Command with local fire resources.

Weather Conditions

Weather conditions have deteriorated from sustained dry, hot, and gusty making challenges to fire suppression activities and posing a high danger for those from the air to the ground.

Restrictions

There is a TFR over the fire area. Please don’t fly your UAVs/Drones over Fire Zones. This puts pilots and those on the ground in serious danger from being injured to being killed. Besides, it is illegal and Officials can impose costly fines and imprisonment for these violations.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog