Wildfire north of Huntsville is now 70% contained after 4 days of burning, according to officials

WALKER COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A wildfire that broke out on Friday just north of Huntsville is now 70% contained after four days, according to officials.

In an update shortly before 9 p.m. on Monday, the Texas A&M Forest Service updated its website, used to monitor the fire’s progress, to say that containment has reached 70%.

NOTE: A previous version of this article reported that the fire was 100% contained. While the Walker 3797 fire is 100% contained, at last check, the Game Preserve Fire was 70% contained.

According to the Walker County Office of Emergency Management, the wildfire erupted at about 2 p.m. on Friday in a wooded area along Lost Indian Camp Road just off FM-247.

The county’s OEM recommended an evacuation for everything within three miles of Lost Indian Camp Road. Elsewhere, an evacuation order was called out by the New Waverly Fire Department to residents of Pinedale.

It reportedly grew 10 times its size in a matter of just three hours.

On Sunday, the Game Preserve Fire was burning at 4,426 acres, the Texas A&M Forest Service said.

There was significant improvement. A few days ago, the fire was only about 10% contained after burning for two days.

READ MORE: Florida Forest Service assists firefighters battling 60% contained Game Preserve fire

By Sunday, the voluntary evacuation order was lifted, and officials said residents of Pinedale, Cedar Ridge subdivision, Brimberry Road, and Brand for Christ Church could return to their homes.

ABC13 got a chance to ride the area with crews who were still battling the fire.

ORIGINAL REPORT: 6.5-mile stretch of FM-247 in Walker County closed as fire burns in wooded area north of Huntsville

More than 100 local firefighters spent days trying to get a handle on the flames. They were given a much-needed break when Florida Forest Service crews showed up to help on Sunday morning.

First responders acted quickly as they continued to dig containment lines around the fire to keep the flames isolated to one area. They also dumped thousands of gallons of water per minute on the fire.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Wildfire in Walker County lessens to 4,254 acres and is 40% contained, according to officials

Crews said they worked to improve the containment lines and continued to check for flames near them to keep the fire from spreading.

The cause of the fire is unknown, though drought conditions have made the fire’s spread extreme. There were no reported injuries, and no homes were lost, officials said.

The reported burn area was located 83 miles outside of downtown Houston.

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