TEXAS – Alanreed, a small town in Texas, is undergoing mandatory evacuations as first responders battle a large wildfire.
Alert: Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to a request for assistance in Gray County on the #RestAreaFire. The fire is an estimated 1,000 acres and 0% contained. The community of Alanreed is under a mandatory evacuation at this time. #txfire pic.twitter.com/KvRcY3jQlH
— Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) March 14, 2025
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Alanreed, which is about 340 miles northwest of Dallas, is only about 0.5 square miles and had a last reported population of 16 people, according to recent Census data.
Fire officials say at least 1,000 acres have been engulfed in flames, and the wildfire is 0% contained.
The reason? Officials said that high winds between 30 and 40mph with gusts over 60mph and low humidity have created the perfect storm for wildfires.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of far West Texas, and some of central and south Texas as well, are experiencing extreme drought conditions.
Overall, 8.65% of Texas is in extreme drought, 19.81% is in exceptional drought, 13.49% is in severe drought, 20.77% is in moderate drought and 26.72% is abnormally dry.
On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for much of the state, meaning that a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures and strong winds in the area has formed critical fire weather conditions.
A high wind warning is also in place, meaning that existing fires may be spread much faster.
Currently, multiple fire crews are working to control the fires. The Houston Fire Department said it also deployed several teams around Texas to aide in the wildfire responses.
“At this time, HFD’s Tactical Deployment Division has four firefighters and a Type 3 engine in Vernon, four firefighters and a Type 6 engine in Uvalde, and one firefighter in a pickup truck serving as Strike Team Leader in Beeville.”