Raw: Grass fire prompts evacuations in TX

Published 7:00 pm Monday, January 22, 2018

: Wildfire shuts down I-20/I-30 west of Fort Worth

(RNN) – Wildfires in Parker and Tarrent counties in Texas shut down I-20/I-30 west of Fort Worth in both directions on Monday.

The highways have since reopened, the Texas Department of Transportation said.

Fire departments and ranchers raced to stay ahead of the flames that scorched large swaths of land.

Incident Update: #FamersRoadFire in Parker County, forward progress of the wildfire has been stopped. Crews are continuing to improve containment lines around the fire. #txfire

— TXA&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) January 22, 2018

As of 5:40 p.m., one of the grass fires was well-contained, emergency management officials told KTVT.

All east and westbound lanes are now open on I-20 and I-30 in Tarrent and Parker County.

— TxDOT Fort Worth (@TxDOTFTWPIO) January 22, 2018

Earlier in the day, Parker County Emergency Management issued an evacuation order for the area as the flames spread and threatened multiple structures.

We are receiving calls here in dispatch about the smoke. It is from a grass fire in Parker County. pic.twitter.com/jkgPpi0Ylr

— ECSO (@ECSOTX) January 22, 2018

The Aledo Independent School District also shut down two elementary schools in the area.

FIRE UPDATE: As a precaution, the Aledo Independent School District is evacuating McCall and Walsh Elementary Schools. Students are being taken to the Don Daniel Ninth Grade Center.

— The Community News (@commnewsaledo) January 22, 2018

The Fort Worth Fire Department joined the effort.