SAN ANTONIO – An evacuation notice has been issued by the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management due to a rapidly spreading brush fire on the Far South Side.
According to Bexar County authorities, a brushfire is spreading rapidly in the area near Southton Road and IH-37. The fire started around 12:43 Tuesday afternoon.
Anyone in that area is urged to evacuate immediately and avoid the area until further notice. We’re told some homes are being evacuated off of Old Corpus Christi Road.
According to an official Bexar County Facebook post, the evacuation order is limited to approximately 30 homes located in the southeastern part of Bexar County south of Highway 181 to the west on Donop Road, South to Southton Road and east to Streich Road.
Deputies with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office are assisting with blocking off areas due to the spreading fires. They say additional mandatory evacuation orders are in place for residents living along Duke Road in South Bexar County.
The City of San Antonio (COSA) has set up a temporary shelter for evacuees at the Mission Espada Fellowship Hall located at 10040 Espada Road.
The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office says they have responded to multiple house fires in the area of Old Pleasanton Road and Big Leaf Road due to high winds. They urge residents to avoid the area if possible and watch for first responders if travel in the area is necessary.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has issued a statement urging Texans to take immediate precautions as “wildfire and storm risks across the state reach critical levels.”
We don’t want a repeat of last year’s fires, where we saw entire ranches, homes, and livelihoods go up in smoke,” said Commissioner Miller in a statement on Tuesday. “And now, with severe storms threatening parts of the state, Texans need to be on high alert. Preparedness can mean the difference between safety and tragedy.
For more preparedness resources, visit Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Division of Emergency Management.
This is a developing story. We will update you as new information becomes available.
