Bastrop, Tx–Repeatedly since Saturday firefighters believed they had a wildfire contained at Camp Swift, only to be faced with flames spreading into new areas.
Helicopters were called out for the third day Monday to drop water in an effort to strop the fire’s advance, said Bastrop County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Fisher.
The fire was reported about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, possibly sparked by Texas Army Guard training activity involving explosives at the facility north of Bastrop.
The fire had ravaged more than 300 acres by Monday afternoon, said Fisher.
Natural fuels, including ancient post oaks, are now so dry from the ongoing drought that almost the least spark from the fire will ignite new flames outside areas where firefighters hoped they had established control, he said.