Evacuations on Bexar County’s Southeast Side are underway as fire crews respond to a large fire near I-37 and Southton Road. Two homes and one shed have been burnt.
Officials say that there are no reported injuries.
The wildfire, which started about 13 miles southeast of downtown around 12:45 p.m., prompted several mandatory evacuation orders from Bexar County Office of Emergency Management.
The blaze is only 10% contained as of 3:30 p.m., according to city officials.
San Antonio Fire Chief Valerie Frausto said crews are primarily working to extinguish hot spots right now. Frausto said the day’s strong winds make the situation “unpredictable.”
Fire officials couldn’t say how many acres the fire has burned as of yet, nor have they determined a cause.
The impacted area includes 60 acres and 182 residential homes. Satellite images show the area includes an RV park, a housing subdivision and apartment homes.
“Wildfire spreading rapidly in area. EVACUATE immediately,” read the emergency alert sent to mobile devices of people in the affected area.
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, which is assisting in blocking off areas near the wildfires, has warned residents on its Facebook page to avoid 13400 Block Donop Road near IH-37 S and Southton Road and the 600 block of Duke Road between Trumbo and Pleasanton roads because they are under mandatory evacuation orders.
Residents should also avoid the 24400 Block of Oliver and Blackjack roads in South Bexar County near U.S. Highway 281 South and Mogford; 15200 Belen Street near Farm-to-Market 1937 and Blue Wing Road; and 13000 Greenwood Road near Pearsall Road and IH-35 South.
The National Weather Service said “numerous fires and erratic fire behavior have already been reported” in the Central Texas region. The service’s Storm Prediction Center has raised its fire danger outlook to “extreme,” which means the area is under dangerous, potentially historic fire weather conditions.
A red flag warning is also in effect through 9 p.m. for Bexar and several counties of in the region, meaning strong winds and dry conditions will spread across the region.
Very strong wind gusts and low relative humidity will support the rapid spread and difficult suppression of any wildfires that may ignite.
The NWS said people should avoid outdoor burning, keep vehicles off of dry grass, and properly discard cigarettes.
The Bexar County Emergency Service District set up on Monday two Wildland Fire Strike Teams to respond rapidly to grass fires and wildfires on both the east and west sides of the county. San Antonio Fire Department is also getting help to contain the fire from the Texas Forrest Service and Texas Department of Emergency Management.
San Antonio Independent School District informed its families that its campuses are experiencing power-related issues.
This is a developing story.
Reporters Sergio Medina, Xochilt Garcia and editor Laura Garcia contributed to this report.
