A wildfire that spread across eastern Brown County between Early and Blanket burned approximately 200 acres Sunday and remained active at 50% containment late that night. Officials said the immediate threat to homes had ended, but crews planned to remain at the scene overnight.
The Neighbor Fire was reported during the early afternoon in the 5400 block of Hughdy Drive, south of U.S. Highway 67/377 and near County Roads 329, 325 and 294. The fire was moving north through countryside between the two communities.
At 5:17 p.m. Sunday, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office announced that forward progression had been stopped and that fire departments were beginning to “mop up,” or work to control remaining hot spots. Local agencies were still on scene, while the Texas A&M Forest Service continued aerial assistance into the evening.
Fire agencies and aircraft responded
Fire departments from Brownwood, Blanket, Zephyr, Early, May, Lake Bridge, Brookesmith and Winchell responded to the blaze. Mutual-aid assistance also came from Coleman, Comanche and McCulloch counties as agencies worked to slow the northward-moving fire.
The Texas A&M Forest Service dispatched two twin-engine Super Scooper aircraft from College Station. The aircraft collected water from Lake Brownwood and dropped it on the fire. Several single-engine Air Tractor 802 aircraft from Mineral Wells applied fire retardant, while a BAE-146 air tanker from Abilene also assisted.
The Forest Service sent a dozen crews from the Brownwood area to work the incident, with additional crews from San Angelo expected to arrive. The Texas Army National Guard also sent a helicopter to perform bucket work over the fire.
Evacuations lifted as crews continued overnight
By 9:45 p.m. Sunday, the Texas A&M Forest Service reported that the Neighbor Fire had charred approximately 200 acres and was 50% contained. Despite the progress, the fire was still considered active and aerial operations continued into the evening.
The Brown County Emergency Management Office said voluntary evacuations had been lifted and that there was no longer an immediate threat to homes. Crews were expected to stay on scene overnight to continue monitoring and suppression work.
The fire came after weeks without measurable rain and several days of temperatures above 100 degrees, conditions that contributed to an elevated wildfire risk across the area. The cause had not been determined Sunday night. Officials also had not established the full extent of property damage or whether anyone had been injured.
Further information was expected as firefighters and emergency officials continued assessing the incident.