The fire was about 45 percent contained as of 4 p.m. Thursday, officials said.
Aug. 4, 2022Updated: Aug. 4, 2022 5:05 p.m.
One man was found dead near the scene of a grassfire near Cypress on Thursday.
TonyFuse/Getty Images/iStockphotoAn older man was found dead Thursday near the scene of a grass fire burning in Rosehill area just north of Cypress, which is northwest of Houston, according to the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office. The man's cause of death is currently not known and it's not clear if he was killed in the blaze, officials said. They said they believe the man lives in the area but they've been unable to identify him.
Officials said that the fire started at approximately 12:50 p.m. and burned through 20 to 30 acres along Bobcat Trail, which has been closed due to the fire. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, the fire had been about 45 percent contained.
"It's still a very active scene," said Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen during a press conference Thursday afternoon, noting that the area in Harris County has experienced over 450 fires in the month of July. "The fire index is 682 today," she said. "We've been under a burn ban now for over 30 days and the fire weather is very hazardous."
At least eight fire departments and 80 firefighters have responded to the fire, with units arriving around 1 p.m., officials said. Nearby residents and livestock have not been cleared from the area as firefighters have said they can contain the fire without evacuations. However, six homes and 13 additional structures could potentially be impacted, officials noted.
Firefighters at the scene of the grassfire were seen using "sweeper tools" to brush back the flames. Christensen said the biggest concerns for firefighters at the moment are winds that can quickly spread the flames. "For us, the biggest concern is getting ahead of it," she said.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
English (United States)