Wildfire Still Burns But Town of Christoval Secured, Evacuation Order Lifted

The wildfire that was almost extinguished Friday night rekindled itself Saturday, and by Saturday afternoon, it was threatening multiple structures and residences south of the town of Christoval. A billowing wall of smoke, and smell, engulfed the tiny town 20 miles south of San Angelo.

The epicenter of the flames was about three miles south of Christoval, between U.S. 277 and RM 2084, also known as Toe Nail Trail. Seven out of the nine Tom Green County volunteer fire departments and the Texas Forest Service helped fight back the flames as they crawled along the parched dry grass and Mesquite. There was a barn and an unoccupied house destroyed and another home to save, firefighters were briefed before they departed the makeshift headquarters along Toe Nail Trail.

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Above: A Christoval VFD fire truck recovers from fighting the blaze off Toe Nail Trail Saturday. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Two fires broke out on Friday, according to the Christoval Volunteer Fire Department. The first, they called The Duff Ranch Fire along Duff Road off U.S. 277 south of Christoval. The second was called The Head of the River Fire. Friday night, the Christoval VFD thought both fires were contained.

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Above: One mile down this road is where the fire fight began Saturday night. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Saturday morning the Head of The River Fire off Toe Nail Trail rekindled. Winds from the southwest picked up in the afternoon and volunteers worked to build firebreaks. Texas Forest Service strike teams got into place building fire lines and back burning late Saturday.

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By Sunday morning, Christoval VFD announced that the fire was 20 percent contained. The town of Christoval was no longer in danger and voluntary evacuation orders were lifted.

By 4 p.m. Sunday, there was another update from CVFD:

“[The] fire is at 5400 acres and 25% contained. Fire crews are working to tie in the Southwest corner this afternoon. Southeast corner was contained this morning by fire crews and 2 maintainers. More Texas Forest Service dozers have been ordered to improve all containment lines. Texas Forestry Service Strike Teams are working in tandem with local fire departments to keep it contained.”

By 8 p.m. Sunday night, the CVFD declared the fire 50 percent contained and added another 100 acres to the burn area. The CVFD reported:

“50% containment and acreage of 5500. The fire has cooperated with the winds today for the most part. Line breaks were reported but quickly contained by fire crews. The additional Texas Forest Service bulldozers have arrived and are working with Tom Green County and TxDOT equipment to continue to build a line completely around the fire. Crews will continue working tomorrow to monitor the fire. Currently there are no structures of any kind in danger.”

In all, 200 firefighters from county and adjacent county VFDs, as well as the Tom Green County road crews from all precincts, and the Texas Forest Service fought the wildfire throughout the weekend.