Brownwood News – UPDATE – As of 3:00 pm Saturday, the Gate 5 Fire is listed as 60% contained and still at 12,000 acres burned. FM 765 is still closed between U.S. Highway 377 and U.S. Highway 283 for safety of firefighters and public.
Friday Story below
The Texas A&M Forest Service Lone Star Incident Management Team provided an update early Friday evening on the Gate 5 Fire which continues to rage in northern McCulloch County.
Texas A&M Forest Service is in unified command with local resources on the Gate 5 Fire in McCulloch County, which started on July 14, 2020 at approximately 3:15 PM. The fire is currently estimated at 12,000 acres and 40% contained. FM 765 remains closed between US Hwy 377 and US Hwy 283 for safety of firefighters and the public.
There are 209 state resources responding to the fire, including 10 pieces of heavy equipment, a water tender and 26 fire engines. Aerial resources include an air attack platform, heavy air tankers and single engine air tankers (SEATs).
Last night, crews constructed containment lines and patrolled for hot spots. Fire activity has increased significantly across the entire fire as the day progressed. Short runs and torching in heavy brush has been consistent throughout the day. The Colorado River continues to hold the fire to its South, as a natural barrier. Dozer crews continue to construct and improve containment lines. Aerial resources have been successful at dousing hot spots and assisting with the construction of containment lines. Engine crews are patrolling line, mopping up hot spots. They are also conducting burn out operations along dozer lines to improve and strengthen containment lines by removing excess vegetation between our containment lines and the active fire edge. Aerial resources assisting with the fire today: 1 Air Attack, 2 Heavy Air Tankers, and 3 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs).