The Rock House Fire is now 74% contained. At last count, 310,995 acres have burned.
Yesterday, strong southwest winds and only 3 percent humidity caused the fire to spread to the north and northwest. The fire burned 300 acres beyond the containment line in Selman Canyon near the JN Ranch. Crews, engines and helicopters were quickly dispatched to that area to prevent further spread.
Engines were utilized overnight to patrol the fire perimeter and attack hot spots. A Type 1 Hotshot crew stayed overnight to build containment line.
Today crews will focus on building line to the north and northwest where the fire is most active. Helicopters are available to be utilized as needed. Crews and engines will mop up and monitor existing containment lines in other areas of the fire which are very secure and show little to no heat.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect today. Winds gusting up to 35 mph will be from the SW. Increased fire behavior is a threat with the extremely dry conditions. Balmorhea State Park is open. McDonald Observatory is open to the public and can be accessed from Fort Davis. Hwy 118 is closed at the Hwy 166 intersection north of the McDonald Observatory.