Here's an update on the fire KRTS reported on yesterday. It's being called "The Dipper Ranch Fire," and it's burned on both the Allison and Dipper ranches.
As of 2 PM on Thursday, March 24, the fire was 60% contained. So far, 2,500 acres have been consumed. Currently, the Marfa Fire Department and the Texas Forest Service are working the fire, and they're waiting on more hot shot crews to arrive and work the perimeter of the area (Hot Shot crews walk the perimeter of a fire and make sure all the edges have stopped burning). According to Marfa Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Gary Mitschke, the Hot Shot crews will be out late today. He's hopeful that the fire will be 100% contained by tomorrow afternoon. As KRTS reported on Wednesday, it started as an unauthorized controlled burn. Gary Mitschke was contacted and asked permission for the burn, but he denied it. Stay tuned to Marfa Public Radio for more information as this story develops.
Additionally, yesterday in Brewster County 2,129 acres were consumed in a fire on the Ralph Keller Ranch outside of Marathon. The fire was contained at 2:12 pm on March 23.
Burn bans remain in effect across West Texas.