THROCKMORTON COUNTY, Texas — UPDATE 12:50 P.M. MONDAY - The Buck Fire has spread into North Shackleford County, though the area affected continues to be ranch and farm land. No structures have been threatened. The fire holds at 15,000 acres, with 75 percent containment.
According to Texas A&M Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator Stewart Morris, the change is weather patterns has improved firefighters ability to keep the fire from spreading. Some TFS resources are expected to be released back to their home sites later today, and the fire expected to be extinguished in the next two days. Morris said the cause of the fire is likely a lightning strike from a storm late last week, but a cause has not been officially confirmed by TFS.
UPDATE 6:10 P.M. FRIDAY - According to the Texas A&M, the Buck Fire is estimated at 7,000 acres and 50 percent contained. Winds have died down, helping suppression efforts. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area.
ORIGINAL STORY - Multiple agencies have been dispatched to a 6,000-acre fire in Throckmorton County, just on the edge of Shackleford County. The fire, now being called the Buck Fire, is only 30 percent contained.
According to Texas Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface Coordinator Stewart Morris, the fire was called into local fire stations just before 5 p.m. Thursday. Officials are not certain how long it had been burning before fire crews had been alerted. The area encompasses several ranches. No structures have been threated, as the area is all used for cattle grazing and hunting.
According to Morris, weather has been a key factor to how large this fire is spreading. He said the area is experiencing high winds and relatively low humidity.
The Buck Fire may currently be at 6,000 acres, but is expected to get larger.
"Currently it is hard to tell how large it will get. The weather will definitely be a factor in all this. But, I do expect we will see more than 6,000 acres. I can tell you that," Morris said.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
