Single Publication

Chalk Mountain Fire Update

July 23, 2022 10:00 a.m.

Size: 6,729 Acres

Containment: 10%

Location: 4.6 miles SW of Glen Rose, TX

Start Date: July 18, 2022

Cause: Under Investigation

Resources Assigned:

•     Total personnel: 228

•     Engines: 18

•     Dozers: 14

The Southern Area Blue, Type-I Incident Management Team assumed command of the 1148 Fire at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

Current Status:

Firefighters continue placing emphasis on the northern perimeter of the Chalk Mountain Fire as crews make progress toward completing containment lines. Pockets of heat continue to persist through strands of timber along the northern boundary. Firefighters used aerial resources, including helicopters and CL-415 super scooper airplanes to deliver water to these areas yesterday. Firefighters will continue working these timber strands until they are completely mopped up. Taking advantage of cooler overnight temperatures, handcrews working overnight were able to make significant progress toward securing the fire perimeter.

On the eastern portion of the fire, crews were able to improve a recently completed indirect dozer line by moving it directly next to the fire. This essentially eliminates any unburned fuel between the existing fire and the containment line, strengthening the integrity of the fire perimeter. Mop-up efforts will continue today throughout the eastern flank.

Firefighters worked a couple of recent flareups on the western portion of the fire and continued their mop up efforts along the perimeter while strengthening and improving existing containment lines. These flareups serve as a reminder that even though there has been minimal activity in this area, fire conditions throughout the entire region are still conducive to extreme wildfire activity.

Fire Weather:

Saturday morning will begin with partly cloudy skies that give way to sunshine in the afternoon, allowing a continued trend of temperatures in the lower 100-degree range with a low humidity of 15-20%. Winds will be out of the southeast at 10-15 mph. Although thunderstorms are not expected near the fires, if they do develop in North Texas, they could generate outflow boundaries in the afternoon that could cause brief wind shifts and gusts.

Closures/Evacuations:

The Somervell County Expo Center is open and available for residents affected by the fire with food and sleeping arrangements.

The Somervell County Sheriff has made some changes to road closures. County Roads 1004 and 1005 are open to traffic. CR 1004 is closed at FM 205. FM 205 remains closed to through traffic from CR 1008 to FM 51. CR 1008 remains closed from FM 205 to FM 51.

Contact the Somervell County Sheriff’s Office for the most current info:

Phone: 254-897-2242

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Somervellsheriff

Safety and Notifications:

Personal responsibility and prevention of the next ignition is of utmost importance in preventing the next wildfire. Refrain from parking vehicles on dry grass and make sure all power equipment is in good working condition. Do your part to help our firefighters.

Wildfires are a NO DRONE ZONE. If you fly, we can’t. Flying a drone near a wildfire can shut down all air operations.

Fire Information Line:

817-381-5914

Email:

2022.chalkmountain@firenet.gov 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/lssimt

Inciweb:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8255/