A brush fire ignited by an unauthorized controlled burn along Highway 188 west of Bypass 35 scorched approximately 9 acres on Monday afternoon, threatening several structures before being brought under control through a massive multi-agency response.
The Rockport Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched at 12:53 p.m. on February 23, to reports of the spreading blaze. Upon arrival, crews faced an active fire that endangered seven structures, including RVs and residential homes within the affected area. One older RV on the property where the fire originated was destroyed, but no homes or other buildings sustained severe damage.
The incident demanded significant resources, with 140 personnel operating on the scene and a total of 512 personnel hours committed. Responding units included 68 apparatus, broken down as follows: seven EMS and law enforcement vehicles, 19 command or utility vehicles, nine tanker/tender units, 17 Type 3 large brush trucks, nine Type 6 small brush trucks, two dozers, three air tankers, and one Texas A&M Forest Service spotter aircraft…