A four-day fire sparked unintentionally by a Border Patrol unit was finally contained Wednesday, but not before it consumed nearly 6,000 acres in Brooks County.
The fire started July 9 around noon when the service unit of a Border Patrol agent patrolling in the county caught on fire and flames spread to the surrounding brush, a CBP spokesperson said via a statement shared Thursday.
According to both Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez and Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra, the fire started on the Jones Ranch when the Border Patrol vehicle’s catalytic converter overheated and ignited the dry grass underneath.
Dry weather conditions and high winds exacerbated the fire, and over the course of four days, it blanketed neighboring properties: Federalez, La Ruccia, Masten, Miller and Cage ranches.
By Tuesday night, the blanket fire had consumed 5,900 acres and was 95% contained after over two dozen regional agencies worked day and night to quell the flames, Martinez said. A containment line was set up around the whole area, and crews will continue to monitor for any rekindled flames through Thursday.
No injuries were reported and no structures were damaged. Aerial photos show the extensive damage and large blackened sections spanning the six ranch properties.
Thirty-two agencies, including fire departments from Roma, McAllen, Edinburg, Donna, and Brownsville, responded to the call for assistance.
The CBP spokesperson said the incident remains under investigation.
Editor’s note: Story updated to include statement from Border Patrol.
