Incident Publication

Duke Fire Daily Update
March 4, 2025
9:00 a.m.
 

Size: 50 acres
Containment: 0%
Start Date: March 4, 2025
Cause: Unknown, under investigation; 

The Duke fire continues to burn in thick vegetation even as the winds have slowed down. Firefighters are working to construct containment lines using a bulldozer, clearing all grass, brush, and debris away from the fire to stop fire growth. These containment lines will also allow fire engines to begin patrolling around the perimeter of the fire, putting out any areas of heat that could become a threat in the morning. This process of constructing lines and patrolling them takes time but is critically important to lower the chance of additional fire growth tomorrow when high winds are forecasted again. 

Additionally, firefighters are working around structures that are near or in the burned area to protect these structures and prevent any future structure loss. This process takes times as crews are working through burned areas looking for any heat or small embers that could potentially damage structures. These burned areas have dangers like downed power lines, burned out trees, and potentially deep pits of ash where a root system completely burned. Personnel must work carefully around all of these hazards and work to mitigate them so that residents will be safe when they return to the area. Fire crews will be back in the morning to continue their work and hold this fire ahead of the expected high winds tomorrow.

Evacuations and Closures:
There is a voluntary evacuation order at this time.

Damages and Injuries:
At this time there have been 2 local firefighters who were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Klett Fire Daily Update
March 4, 2025
8:30 p.m.

Size: 126 acres
Containment: 50%
Start Date: March 4, 2025
Cause: Unknown, under investigation;
 

Firefighters have been working through the evening to slow and stop growth on the Klett Fire. The fire was growing rapidly towards Johnson City and resources from around the area and across the state worked together to stop the rapid fire spread and begin constructing containment lines around the fire. Fire engines have been working to take advantage of areas of open grass to stop fire spread while heavy equipment has been constructing lines clear of any fuel through dense wooded areas and around the fire. Heavy equipment has been making good progress constructing lines that engines will then use to patrol and reduce heat along the lines. These containment lines and continued patrolling and mopping up, extinguishing the heat along the edge, will allow firefighters to stop fire spread and keep the fire in its current footprint. 

Crews will be working through the night, taking advantage of the forecasted lower winds and lower temperatures, to put in these containment lines. High winds are expected again in the morning and any heat left along the containment lines presents a threat for continued growth. To reduce these threats engines will patrol through the night until they can find no more heat and then return in the morning. In the morning they will continue to monitor and patrol the existing lines for any heat, as well as widening and improving the control lines to ensure no further spread.

Evacuations and Closures:
No evacuations or closures at this time.

Damages and Injuries:
Currently, there have been no reports of injuries from the public or first responders. No structures or critical infrastructure have been lost.

Welder Complex Fire Evening Update
March 4, 2025
8:30 p.m.

Size: 175 acres
Containment: 0%
Start Date: March 4, 2025
Cause: Unknown, under investigation

Firefighters are continuing to suppress the wildfires around Sinton, TX through very high winds and difficult working conditions. Crews have been working all afternoon to slow spread of both the initial Welder Fire and the additional fire, Railway Fire, in spite of and protect structures. These fires both started and quickly began growing due to the high wind speeds and extreme fire danger in South Texas. Evacuation orders were issued earlier today, evacuating a large area and moving residents to the San Patricio County Fairgrounds to protect public lives as the Welder Fire began burning towards the town of Sinton. Firefighters from around the area and across the state have been working all afternoon to protect structures in Sinton as the fire impacted the community. Heavy Equipment has been working to construct containment lines in open areas, working to connect streets and stop open spread of the fire across the landscape.

The high winds are expected to calm overnight and allow a brief reprieve before picking up again tomorrow morning. During this period with light winds firefighters will take advantage of the better conditions to construct containment lines and better protect structures that are around the fire or within the burned areas. Crews will work to extinguish any heat sources along the lines constructed by bulldozers, working to reduce the chance of new growth tomorrow. 

Evacuations and Closures:
There is currently an evacuated area between Business Highway 77, US Highway 181, and TX-89. Evacuees are welcome at the shelter set up at the San Patricio County Fairgrounds.

Damages and Injuries:
There have been reports of damaged structures at this time and crews are working to evaluate and protect all structures within the burned areas.

Evacuation Orders for Welder Fire

Currently there is an evacuation order put in place for the Welder Fire. The area currently under evacuation orders is east of Business Highway 77, north of US Highway 181, south of Chiltipin Creek, and west of TX-89. Residents within this area are advised to evacuate the area and take shelter at the San Patricio County Fairgrounds where there are organizations set up to care for evacuees. 

Residents should take with them their pets and family members, enough personal items (changes of clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste) for 24-48 hours, and prescriptions they may need, personal documents (social security cards, birth certificates), and priceless items with them. These evacuations orders have been issued with the public's safety in mind as firefighters are working tirelessly to protect the public and their structures.

Recent snowfall has made pile burning conditions favorable. BLM Southwest Fire will be conducting a prescribed pile burn on the Dawson vegetation project located in the Tres Rios Field Office today (3/4/2025) through the remainder of the week. Fire crews will hand light slash piles and will remain on scene to monitor the fire activity. Smoke from the pile burn will be visible throughout the day of the burn, mostly during the warmest part of the day. With cooler temperatures in the evening, smoke may linger and accumulate in low-lying areas.

BLM fire crews took full advantage of the weather conditions to successfully complete the Yellow Jacket pile burn. A total of 30 piles were ignited over 20 acres. Fire crews remained on scene throughout the day patrolling the burn area. Fire crews will continue to return to the burn area to monitor and patrol. 

Smoke may still linger during the heat of the day and accumulate in low-lying areas a few days after the burn. The completion of the Yellow Jacket project is an ongoing effort to reduce the hazardous fuel loading and the elimination of noxious and invasive plants from public lands. 

Combs Fire Final Update

Containment: 100%

Size: 375 acres

This morning, fire personnel reported beneficial rainfall over the Combs fire area. No fire activity or concerns were noticed. Crews monitored and patrolled the fire into the afternoon until comfortable to release resources from the fire. South flank of the fire was secured and there are no concerns of rekindle. 

Starting today through Thursday, firefighters on the Grindstone Ranger District plan to burn piles in the Letts Lake basin, potentially 20 acres pending favorable conditions. Firefighters are taking advantage of cool and wet weather conditions to burn piles in preparation of future reforestation in these units. 

Please avoid areas where burning operations will be taking place. Some smoke may be visible. People should not be alarmed as the fires are carefully monitored. Local fire and government authorities are notified prior to burn days and kept informed throughout prescribed fire operations. 

Maps of pile burn operations can be found on Inciweb under the Maps tab. 

HUGHES POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT SUMMARY RELEASED

The Forest Service—Angeles National Forest completed a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) post-fire assessment of the Hughes Fire burn area and affected watersheds to determine their response, soil conditions, potential threats, and recommended BAER emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands. BAER emergency treatments and activities are designed to decrease possible impacts to critical values from the burned areas during rainstorm events such as: human life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.

NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF documents called “Hughes Post-Fire BAER Assessment Summary Report_PUBLIC”.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act and note emergency alerts issued by Los Angeles County. Current weather and emergency notifications can also be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

Combs Fire

Containment: 75%

Size: 357 acres

Cause Unknown

Last night 3/3/2025, fire crews stopped forward progression of the fire around midnight and continued to improve fire line construction where they could, but rough terrain and night conditions made it harder for effective work to be done. Crews were released from the fire at 1:30 am, after fire conditions diminished and forward progression was stopped. 

For today 2/4/2025, plan is to secure lines on the south flank of the fire due to the high northwest wind shift that the fire area experienced this morning. Aviation was requested this morning for tactical use over the fire area, but as winds got higher this morning air craft was cancelled. Drizzling was reported over the fire area this morning. Crews are going to continue mopping up and improving lines where needed. 

All roads in fire area have been reopened at this time.