According to emergency dispatchers, the fire, named after the Crittenburg complex, was reported around 4pm at the northern end of the base’s property. It was estimated at 17,267 acres and was not limited, according to Texas A&M Forest Service, which has sent crews to help fight the blaze. The National Meteorological Service said the fire was burning in an uninhabited area, but was moving northeast towards State Road 36. Residents of Flat Town, located on Highway 36, were ordered to evacuate, according to Coryell County dispatchers. Summer temperatures, along with gale-force winds and low humidity, have increased the risk of wildfires in much of North Texas, where temperatures reached 90 degrees Celsius on Sunday. More than 20 counties, including Coryell County, were alerted by a red flag, indicating an increased risk of fire. A forest fire in South Texas had burned more than 1,000 acres, forcing some people to evacuate, destroying three homes and cutting off power to more than 100 others, officials said Sunday. Governor Greg Abbott declared disaster in Medina County during a press conference and said the fire that forced 40 households to evacuate was reduced by only 10%. The blaze did not cause any injuries or deaths, but officials in county west of San Antonio warned residents remaining in the area that there was still a high risk of the flames spreading. The fire started late Friday afternoon and worsened on Sunday due to strong winds and low humidity. More than 200 firefighters are working to fight the blaze, and Medina County Judge Chris Schuchart says they are praying for rain. Communities west of Fort Worth have been devastated by the Eastland Complex fire, which has destroyed dozens of homes and killed an Eastland County sheriff’s deputy. Fires last weekend forced residents of Eastland, Hood and Erath counties to evacuate. Texas A&M Forest Service said the Eastland Complex fire was reduced by 90 percent on Saturday and burned 54,513 acres. Staff writer Maggie Prosser and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
