Winds are shifting, challenging firefighters in northeast Houston, who say a 200-acre brush fire is now 75-percent contained nearly three days after it began, according to the Houston Fire Department.
Known as the Caddo Fire, the blaze has been sending smoke rising above a residential area, giving the air nearby a gray haze, but residents of homes nearby have been relieved to know that evacuations that seemed quite possible yesterday were ruled out by Tuesday.
The Fire Marshal says those in the nearby Verde Forest subdivision should keep posted on the blaze.
The wind has shifted to the south and is now gusting up to 15 mph and a little beyond, causing concern among fire officials who remain optimistic that the blaze can be fully under control by tonight.
The fire has been burning since Saturday night, fueled by dry conditions and low humidity combined with strong winds.
The Harris County Flood Control District is assisting in fighting the fire.
Cause has not been determined, and officials say it’s too early to determine when when fire crews will gain 100% control.