Pauline Road Fire Update: 2300 Acres Burned, Crews Battle High Winds

Fire Status and Growth

• 🔥 The Pauline Road Fire has grown to 2,380 acres, up from 1,300 acres overnight.
• 🎯 Containment is estimated at 15-20%, with officials focusing on the critical hours between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. due to low humidity and high winds.
• ⚠️ The fire is located near the San Jacinto and Montgomery County line, with some small structures lost on the San Jacinto side.

Weather and Fire Conditions

• 💨 Strong winds from the north, with gusts up to 25-30 mph, are a major challenge, causing embers to spread.
• 🌡️ Low humidity, dropping below 18% at times, significantly increases the fire danger.
• 🌬️ Winds are expected to weaken and shift to the southeast by Friday, with increased humidity anticipated for Saturday.

Evacuations and Community Support

• 🏡 Mandatory evacuations were in place for areas including Pauline Road, Kirby Road, Big Buck Road, Peach Creek Plantation, Holstein Drive, Bores Run, and Grant Lake Circle.
• 🚗 Approximately 900 people were initially affected by evacuations, with officials urging residents to leave for their safety.
• 🤝 The community has shown strong support by dropping off food and water for crews, though officials have asked for a temporary pause on supply deliveries to manage traffic.

Impact on Schools and Livestock

• 🏫 Cleveland ISD was forced to close due to the fire, with updates on school operations expected later today.
• 🐄 Video footage shows the evacuation of livestock, including goats, sheep, horses, and cattle, to safety.

Official Statements and Resources

• 🎙️ Montgomery County Judge Mark Keio highlighted the challenges of wind and low humidity, emphasizing the importance of residents evacuating when advised.
• 📍 Shelters are available at the East Montgomery County Community Center, Bull Salis Park, and the Conroe Montgomery County Fairgrounds for those needing assistance or livestock housing.
• 💻 More information on evacuations and incident locations is available at KHOU.com.