BROOKS COUNTY, Texas — A huge plume of smoke billowed over Brooks County Wednesday afternoon as firefighters battled a major brushfire near Encino south of Falfurrias that broke out at the King Ranch. We're told some families had to be evacuated from their homes.
According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Coastal Bend are more susceptible to wildfire fires than they normally would be.
The fire at King Ranch has already consumed 5,800 acres as of 10 p.m. on Wednesday and it's still burning. Crews on the scene included folks from the Texas Forest Service.
Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez told 3News everyone is OK, but one residential structure was destroyed. Crews are expected to continue to battle the blaze into Wednesday night and Thursday.
Burn Ban
The forest service says these Coastal Bend counties currently have outdoor burn bans in place.
- Duval
- Jim Hogg
- Jim Wells
- Kleberg
- Live Oak
- Refugio
- Nueces County
The Texas A&M Forest Service is encouraging everyone not to engage in these outdoor activities which can cause a spark:
- Outdoor burning of debris or trash
- Dragging trailer chains on the roadway
- Driving through dry grass, or throwing lit cigarettes into vegetation.
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