A fast-moving wildfire borne by gusty westerly winds forced evacuation Monday afternoon of a nearby subdivision and school and closed two heavily traveled interstate highways in North Texas.
Thick smoke from the fire not only closed about 15 miles of Interstates 20 and 30 from Willow Park, Texas, east to the western outskirts of Fort Worth. That smoke could be detected as far as 50 miles to the southeast visually and by radar.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire had scored at least 1,000 acres but had been 40 percent contained by late Monday afternoon.
All east and westbound lanes are closed on I-20 and I-30 from I-820 in Tarrant County to Farm to Market Road 5 in Parker County due to wildfires. Please delay travel or find alternate route.
— TxDOT Fort Worth (@TxDOTFTWPIO) January 22, 2018
Aledo ISD evacuated Walsh and McCall elementary schools, the Dallas Morning News reported.
Fire line established along Walsh Ranch rd. Fire contained along the East side. pic.twitter.com/izFvC25nZT
— Fort Worth Fire Dept (@FortWorthFire) January 22, 2018
The National Weather Service had issued a red-flag warning for Monday as westerly winds gusting up to 35 mph combined with dry humidity for a high risk of wildfires throughout North Texas. However, weather forecasters say they expect the wind gusts to diminish overnight, raising hopes for a diminished wildfire risk.
Other wildfires were scattered throughout North Texas, some threatening homes. Officials had no immediate word on injuries, however.
The combination of gusty northwesterly winds & minimum relative humidities in the teens & 20s will result in elevated fire weather conditions today along & west of a Gainesville to Hillsboro line. #dfwwx #ctxwx #texomawx pic.twitter.com/IgbM8f4MDi
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) January 22, 2018
Other grass fires in North Texas
Denton County: A fire in Flower Mound, at the northeast corner of FM1171 and U.S. Highway 377, started Monday morning, and after burning about 200 acres was reported under control around 3 p.m.
#BREAKING: Several agencies are assisting to contain a large grass fire that has burned almost 100 acres in Denton County near Argyle, officials said. https://t.co/KqU7sJY70l pic.twitter.com/Zx9YvKTVrs
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) January 22, 2018
Parker County: A fire near State Highway 199 and Ross Lane also forced evacuations.
Grayson County: A fire destroyed one vacant home and a vehicle, but firefighters were able to save several other homes, according to the Morning News. It was 95 percent contained at 14.5 acres.
More: Fires were also reported in Weatherford, Decatur and Wise County.
3:42 PM: 2 new grass fires have started in Wise county. One near Boonsville and the other just north of Decatur. #dfwwx #txwx #txfire
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) January 22, 2018
Grass Fires Seen on Satellite #dfwwx #txwx #ctxwx pic.twitter.com/lds2xhGnKk
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) January 22, 2018