Highland fire sparked by electrical issue, burns 622 acres

UPDATE: Just after 2 p.m. Sunday, Chief Andy Payne said the fire was 100% contained.

IOWA PARK, Texas (KAUZ) - A massive fire in Iowa Park that started on Saturday has burned 622 acres according to Iowa Park VFD Chief Andy Payne.

Payne tells News Channel 6 that the initial call for the fire came in at 3:25 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Payne says that the cause of the fire was electrical and originated on the north side of Highland Cemetary. He added that he didn’t believe any tombstones were damaged in the fire.

As of Sunday morning, Payne says the fire is 85% contained. He says that the fire was contained between US 287, FM 368, Bell Road, and Bacon Switch Road. Payne says that crews will continue to watch hotspots, including some hay bales that are still actively burning and that no structures were damaged in the fire.

Numerous agencies converged to help with the fire, including Wichita West, Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Cameron Gardens, Friberg-Cooper, Texas Forestry Service, US Forestry Service, and many others. Payne adds that four water-scooping aircraft, one helicopter, and multiple planes dropping retardant were also on-scene.

Iowa Park VFD Chief Andy Payne says that they hope to have the fire “buttoned-up” to 100% containment by the end of Sunday.

Payne thanked the residents and businesses of Iowa Park for their help. Many people made monetary donations as well as giving food, drinks, and prayers.