MAGNOLIA, Texas – A wildfire that stretches across three counties flared up again Thursday, causing firefighters to lose some of the handle they had on it.
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More than 12,500 acres and at least 75 homes have been destroyed in wildfires in Montgomery, Grimes and Waller counties. The fire began along F.M. 1486 near Sandra Dee in Montgomery County about 3 p.m. Monday.
As of 9 p.m. Thursday, Texas Forest Service officials the entire fire was 50 percent contained. It had been 65 percent contained about 2:30 p.m.
The extremely dry vegetation, low humidity, and steady winds have kept the fire burning.
Thursday evening, Montgomery County officials issued a mandatory evacuation for the Crown Ranch subdivision and along F.M. 1486 from Shady Oaks Boulevard south to Sandy Hill because the fire was flaring up.
Some residents tried to get home for just a minute, but roadblocks prevented them from getting through.
"I was trying to get my animals, but they won't let me down there," one resident said.
Residents from the Ranch Crest subdivision were allowed back into the area at noon. Residents returning to their homes may need to provide identification. Officials said F.M. 1774 remains closed in Montgomery County between F.M. 1486 and the Waller County line.
Four homes were destroyed in Montgomery County and 6,000 acres burned.
Mandatory evacuations were issued for homes north of Waller Spring Creek and east of FM 362 in Waller County. Firefighters said the flames were being held by plow lines, but that 30 structures were lost.
At 11:45 am., officials said flames flared up southeast of the Foxfire subdivision, but a fire lane was keeping the flare-up contained.
"We use every means we can to try to get in there and get to it," Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Freddy Williams said. "The embers get up in the trees and fly through the air and get in other areas, and here we go again."
Approximately 6,000 acres burned in Waller County -- mostly uninhabited land.
Waller County homes in the Stonebridge, Saddle Creek, Pin Oak Estates, Robinwood, Westbrook Woods, Fields Store Area and Remington Forest subdivisions remain evacuated. The evacuation was expanded Wednesday afternoon to include everything east of F.M. 362 and south of F.M. 1488 to the Harris County line.
About 500 acres have burned in Grimes County. County officials said that 75 percent of the fire there was contained as of 10:30 p.m. Thursday.
In Grimes County, the Lake Holly Hills/Mill Creek subdivisions, Foxfire subdivision, the area immediately behind the Texas Renaissance Festival, Plantation Lakes (off Riley Road), Saddle Creek subdivision (off Riley Road), Clark, Magan, Lively, Carlton Speed Ranch Road, Crawford, Lonestar Road, Whipoorwhill Road, Country Lane, Pappas, Camelia, Azalea, Lakeshore, Winona Lane, Wyric Road, Rustic Lane, Adler Road, Adler Circle, Rolling Hill Lane, Albin Circle, Walnut, Lars Circle, Longs Circle and Forrest Hills subdivisions remained under an evacuation on Thursday.
The Magnolia Independent School District canceled all classes for Friday. The Waller Independent School District canceled Friday's classes at Evelyn Turlington and Fields Store elementary schools, but all other schools will operate on a normal schedule.
"I've been out of my home since Monday and it's just not knowing. It's just not knowing," evacuee Mary Clark said. "When am I going to get back home?"
Justin Murray spent Thursday working in Port Arthur and could not get home because of a mandatory evacuation in his neighborhood.
"I don't like it. I got a lot of stuff I need to get out," he said. "Personal stuff; photos and stuff."
Monte Goodner said he has ignored three orders to evacuate his house in Waller County.
"My son and I stood here facing north, looking across the tree line and you could see the flames," Goodner said. "My last refuge is to go to my pond. We've got respirators in the house, flashlights and stand-by generators."
In Montgomery County, firefighters said Ranch Crest and River Ranch Park subdivisions were heavily damaged.
Amanda Forniquet said going home to Ranch Crest was bittersweet. Her family's mobile home was the only structure to burn to the ground, but she's grateful that she and her husband and children got out in time
Hundreds of families stayed at shelters with only the clothes on their backs.
The following shelters have been opened.
- Waller County Fair Grounds, 22000 Fairground Road in Hempstead
- Grimes County Fair Grounds, FM 3455 near Highway 90, Navasota
- Knights of Columbus, 22892 Mack Washington Lane in Hempstead
- St. John's Lutheran Church, 1613 Key Street in Waller
- Wildwood Methodist Church, 8911 F.M. 1488
- First Baptist Church, 801 East Goliad, in Crockett
Four firefighters were taken to a hospital for treatment of heat exhaustion Monday night. One injured his ankle.
Montgomery County officials said donations for fire victims should be coordinated through the United Way at 281-292-4155, ext. 265.
The Federal Emergency Management agency has issued a grant to help in the firefighting effort.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.