Texas A&M Forest Service making progress on 350-acre wildfire near Nacogdoches

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - Fire crews are making progress to contain a large wildfire burning in southern Nacogdoches County. Friday morning, the Texas A&M Forest Service had containment of the ‘Beaver Pond Fire’ at 40 percent after more than 12 hours of efforts.

Thursday night, the agency responded to a call for assistance with fires burning on about 100 acres of land, about 5 miles south of the city of Nacogdoches, near U.S. Highway 59 and County Road 525. Around 9 p.m., the Forest Service reported zero containment of what’s since been named the ‘Beaver Pond Fire.’

By 4:30 a.m. Friday, the fire had spread to 350-acres, with 40 percent contained.

“Fire activity died down allowing firefighters to make good progress overnight,” according to the Forest Service.

The Texas A&M Forest Service has brought in at least three bulldozers to help with containment and creating fire lines. Crews returned to the scene around 9 a.m. to “mop-up.”

“No homes or structures have been lost, and there are currently no homes or structures threatened,” a spokesperson stated.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, however, the area has experienced a period of very dry conditions.

In its Thursday update, the U.S. Drought Monitor listed most of Nacogdoches County under a ‘Severe Drought,’ with the rest of the region classified under either ‘Severe’ or ‘Moderate’ conditions.

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