Wildfire — Starr, Texas

2024-02-04 · Starr, Texas

Event narrative

A grass/brush fire of unknown causes began during the mid-afternoon February 4th along Old Highway 83 (south of US 83) west of FM 649 on the east side of Escobares, and spread rapidly southeast along Old 83 into Garceno, eventually covering 80 acres before more than 60 firefighters from multiple local, state, and federal agencies contained and controlled the blaze in the early evening. The wildfire destroyed one single-family home, a Utility Terrain Vehicle, and a trailer.

The wildfire occurred on a Red Flag day, with a combination of winds from the northwest gusting over 40 mph, relative humidity falling to or just below 15 percent, freeze-cured grasses and brush, and warm temperatures (around 80 degrees) . It took nearly six hours to control, then contain, the wildfire - but embers continued to burn in dry conditions into February 5th.

Wider weather episode

The combination of warm temperatures, cured grasses and brush, strong winds gusting up to 40 mph, and humidity below 15 percent allowed a wildfire to spread rapidly during the mid to late afternoon of Sunday, February 4th, between Garceno and Escobares. The grass fire engulfed one home and threatened others, with short-fused evacuation orders for the neighborhood.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1151572. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.