Half Section Active 2026

The Half Section Fire in Schleicher County started in the early evening on Saturday, September 5. Texas A&M Forest Service was requested to provide assistance to local fire departments. Texas A&M Forest Service operated in unified command with the local fire departments. Due to the nightly high relative humidity, the fire ceased burning and firefighters left and returned Sunday morning. Firefighters patrolled and mopped up hotspots and command of the fire was turned the fire back over to the local fire departments around noon as Texas A&M Forest Service personnel responded to the South Day Fire. The Half Section Fire rekindled in midafternoon on Sunday and local fire department again contacted Texas A&M Forest Service for assistance. Firefighters, engines, bulldozers and multiple air resources from Texas A&M Forest Service responded to attack the fire. By Sunday night, the fire had been stopped. On Monday morning when firefighters returned, there still had been no fire growth overnight. Firefighters mopped up and extinguished hotspots throughout the day, bulldozers constructed and improved firelines and air tankers made drops on the fire perimeter. Since fire activity was minimal on Monday night, the fire had been transferred to the local fire departments for the night.

Update: 6 pm, Tuesday, September 8 - Texas A&M bulldozers continued to construct firelines around the fire today, but progress was slow due to difficult terrain. Air tankers made retardants drops to slow the spread of the fire. Once the firelines were completed, the bulldozers strengthened and widened the lines and improved access for engines and brush trucks. Engine crews continued to mopup hotspots along the firelines.