Medina county fire ravages 1,092 acres
Officials say the Das Goat fire was originated by a burning car and was 95 percent contained Tuesday morning. BULLETIN PHOTO/Daniel Tucker
A Medina County wildfire started by a burning car on the afternoon of Friday, March 25, was battled by multiple county and state organizations up to the Bulletin’s press time on Tuesday.
As of the Bulletin’s press deadline, officials with the Texas Wildfire Incident Response Team say the fire, dubbed Das Goat, covered 1,092 acres and was 95 percent contained.
Medina County Emergency Management (MCEM) officials say CR 2615 remains closed from North of Paradise Canyon to County Road 265.
Additionally, CR 271 is closed from CR 265 to approximately 3 miles south.
“We plan to reopen County Road 2615 at 9am tomorrow morning. At that time the entrance to High Mountain will be opened,” read a Facebook post for MCEM “We are hopeful to open County Road 271 by noon tomorrow.”
As drought conditions lead to wildfires throughout the state, Das Goat prompted a Sunday visit from Governor Greg Abbott, who received a briefing from state and local officials in Medina County and amended his disaster declaration to include Medina County.
"The State of Texas continues to collaborate with local officials on the ground and respond to fire activity to keep Texans safe," said Abbott. "Thank you to our first responders and emergency response personnel who are working tirelessly to protect communities impacted by fire activity. As we continue to address fire activity, I encourage Texans to remain weather-aware and continue to heed the guidance from local officials to keep their loved ones safe. I ask that Texans join the First Lady and me in praying for those affected by the fires and severe weather that has impacted many parts of the state."
During a press conference, the Governor noted 19 state agencies and over 200 firefighters were currently involved in responding to this disaster.
During the press conference, the Governor also encouraged impacted communities to complete TDEM’s Self Reporting Damage Survey, which will help the state identify and understand damages.
The voluntary survey can be accessed at damage.tdem.texas.gov.