Thick smoke filled the air over Gregory, Texas, on Wednesday evening as a wildfire known as the Mill Fire spread through this small community about 150 miles southeast of San Antonio. Firefighters managed to contain roughly half of the 15-acre blaze, but residents in the northern part of town were told to leave their homes as a safety precaution.
Officials set up a shelter at a nearby community center for those displaced by the evacuation. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far. However, the heavy smoke has made it hard for emergency crews to assess how many buildings, if any, have been damaged.
Heather Gonzales, a spokesperson for the Texas A&M Forest Service, warned that the smoke poses health risks and urged people to stay away from the area. The fire spread quickly due to dry air and winds blowing between 15 and 30 miles per hour. By evening, the flames had stopped advancing, and forecasters expect the weather to improve in the coming days.
The cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue. Ground crews are patrolling the scene to extinguish any hot spots.
As a precaution, CenterPoint Energy shut off natural gas service to the city temporarily. Officials and firefighters remain on high alert, working to fully control the blaze and keep the community safe.