North Texas wildfire grows to over 1,400 acres in Johnson County, forest service says
State and local authorities are battling a wildfire near Godley in Johnson County that has grown to more than 1,400 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The fire, named the Double Back Fire, was about 60% contained on Tuesday morning, according to an update on social media from the Johnson County Office of Emergency Management.
On Sunday afternoon, the large grass fire started near CR 1232 south of CR 1127 and was moving north to northwest, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
About 8:20 p.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s office said, “The fire is closer to being contained but still have hot spots popping up in different areas.”
The county’s emergency management director, Jamie Moore, wrote in a Facebook post that the main crews will work until 8 p.m. daily then transition to an overnight “strike team of engines mopping up and continuing (the) containment line.”
“I anticipate we will continue containment and mop up efforts through at least Wednesday night,” Moore wrote.
Voluntary evacuations were put in place Sunday, according to the forest service. The fire got close to at least one home, the sheriff’s office said.
No structures are currently threatened, but two barns were destroyed on Sunday, according to the emergency management office.
An elevated fire threat continues across North and Central Texas due to “low humidity and very dry vegetation,” during an extended heat wave, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. An excessive heat warning also is in effect for temperatures over 105 degrees.
On Tuesday there is a Red Flag Warning for low humidity and high winds expected in the afternoon.
Residents are urged to avoid any activities that could spark a wildfire. Most counties have active burn bans in effect.
This story was originally published August 7, 2023 at 9:52 AM.
