ELLIS COUNTY – A grass fire in Ellis County near Ennis and Alma in the vicinity of FM 85 was reported contained by officials as of 11 p.m. Friday evening.
The fire prompted mandatory evacuations of homes along FM 85, Walker Creek Road, Zmolek Road and Mach Road.
The Cowboy Church in Alma was the evacuee designation during the evening.
The Ennis Police Department, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Public Safety worked on the fire that by 5:30 p.m. had burned more than 75 acres.
By 6 p.m. evacuees were directed to seek shelter at the Cowboy Church.
By 6:45 p.m. per Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire had burned 230 acres and was named “the Alma fire.”
By 8:22 p.m., the fire had consumed 285 acres.
Alma Mayor Renee Jones said on social media the fire had burned more than 600 acres in and around the Alma area.
“On behalf of the City of Alma, I want to express our sincere gratitude to our neighboring fire departments who responded to assist, Ellis County emergency personnel, law enforcement, the Red Cross, our community churches, and every first responder who answered the call.”
Jones posted on Facebook. “A fire of this magnitude requires tremendous coordination, manpower, equipment, and sacrifice.
“Departments and personnel from outside our immediate community came when we needed them, working alongside one another for hours to protect lives, homes, property, and livestock.”
Residents in the area were also asked to remain alert over the Labor Day weekend since, while the immediate threat had passed, hotspots could remain and fires rekindle.
Jones concluded, “Tonight was also a powerful reminder of what neighboring communities do for one another when it matters most. To every neighboring fire department that sent personnel and equipment, and to Ellis County Emergency Management and all the county personnel who helped coordinate and support this response, Alma thanks you.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation and currently remains unknown.