DONNA, Texas (Border Report) – A wildfire that started in Mexico hopped the wide Rio Grande on was burning in South Texas on Monday.
The fire first crossed the river on Sunday night but Donna Fire Chief David Simmons tells Border Report that they had it under control after it burned over 40 acres.
Then on Monday morning it reignited, spurred by high winds that are hitting this are near the Gulf Coast.
“Look at the winds. It doesn’t take much. That’s why we’re always out there trying to educate the public about burning trash. A little ember is going to float,” Simmons told Border Report.
Behind him, a row of palm trees were catching fire and igniting every few minutes for several hours as the fire was making a slow march toward Military Highway – the most southern highway in Texas.
This is an area near the Santa Anna National Wildlife Refuge.
It’s also an area where federal officials are starting to build new segments of border wall.
A contract for $70 million was recently secured to rebuild 7 miles of border wall in Hidalgo County.
Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol spokeswoman Christina Smallwood confirmed to Border Report on Monday that the area is near Donna.
Trucks carrying bundles of bollards could be seen on the border levee on Monday and the drivers were turned back by fire officials as the smoke grew thick and was spreading quickly.
“It’s burnt right up to the river. The last night fire that we had we were actually on the bank of the water so it’s right there. And again it’s our safety too,” Simmons said.
He said he had to have his fire troops retreat Sunday night around 10 p.m. because it was too dark to safely see the smoldering sections.
State and federal officials on Monday sent resources.
Simmons and several other local firefighting agencies were battling the fire along with help from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Texas AM Forest Service.
By evening over 130 acres had burned Monday, Abbie Tijerina with Texas A&M Forest Service told Border Report.
The fire was 75% contained, she said.
However, a quick glimpse on the other side of the border wall showed acres and acres of border landscape completely charred.
That’s where fire officials had their command post for much of the day.
Simmons said the concern with containing the fire near Santa Anna National Wildlife Refuge is that it’s located on a part of the Rio Grande where it curves and with these high winds embers could easily fly across from Mexico again and reignite more brush.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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