Duke Fire 2025

The Duke Fire started on March 4th in south Bexar county and was initially responded to be local fire departments. Texas A&M Forest Service was requested to provide assistance in the form of additional firefighters and heavy equipment at 2:39 pm and quickly responded. Texas A&M Forest Service is currently in unified command with local fire departments and Bexar County. Crews continue to construct containment lines around the outside of the fire with bulldozers and protect structures both within the burned areas and in the path of the fire. 

This fire started during a period of extreme fire risk due to high temperatures, low humidity, and extremely high winds. These factors together all led to the possibility for fires to start and rapidly expand in size and become highly resistant to control efforts by fire department. Crews are working through these difficulties to protect the public and the structures around this wildfire. 

Initially, several roads were closed and voluntary evacuations were put into place to move members of the public away from the fire, providing safety for the public and allowing firefighters to better protect their structures. At this time all evacuation orders have been lifted.