County judge issues disaster declaration due to Pauline Road Wildfire

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough issued a local disaster declaration due to the ongoing Pauline Road wildfire.

“Due to the impacts of the Pauline Road Fires, there is an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life and/or property resulting from wildfires fueled by heavy winds, low humidity and dry conditions,” the declaration read.

The fire broke out on Wednesday, March 19, in neighboring San Jacinto County. By Thursday around noon, it had spread to nearly 2,400 acres and prompted evacuations. It also forced the Cleveland Independent School District to close for the day. As of noon Thursday, the fire was 20% contained.

Keogh said he expects it to take about three days to fully contain the fire.

Montgomery County officials said about 900 homes were affected by evacuations.

The Montgomery County OEM issued evacuation orders for the following places: Holstein Dr., Hereford Way, Cross Cut, Rock Pigeon, Boar’s Run, Grey Goose, Brown Bear, Duroc Ct., Big Beaver, Blue Teal, Grant Lake Circle, N. Duck Creek north of Blue Teal.

There were also evacuation orders in place for the following roads in San Jacinto County: Pauline Road, Lee Turner Road, Kirby Road, Big Buck Road, Hereford Way and Blue Teal Road.

Check the latest fire conditions on this map.

• Cleveland: Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland at 816 Blair Ave. | Map
• Splendora: East Montgomery County Community Development Center at 16401 1st Street | Map
• Coldspring: San Jacinto County Shelter at 255 Live Oak Street | Map

The KHOU 11 Weather Team issued a Weather Impact Alert due to a Red Flag Warning that went into effect Thursday.

The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. for the following counties in Southeast Texas: Walker, San Jacinto, Polk, Burleson, Brazos, Washington, Grimes, Montgomery, Northern Liberty, Colorado, Austin, Waller, Inland Harris, Chambers, Wharton, Fort Bend, Inland Jackson, Inland Matagorda, Inland Brazoria, Inland Galveston, Southern Liberty, Coastal Harris, Coastal Jackson, Coastal Matagorda, Coastal Brazoria, Coastal Galveston.

People should take the following precautions the last time there was a Red Flag Warning:

• Avoid all fire-related activities
• Keep vehicles off dry grass
• Properly discard cigarettes
• Avoid activities that could create sparks
• Remove pine needles and leaves from roofs, eaves and gutters
• Prevent chains from trailers dragging on the ground