By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Val Verde County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. confirmed the county fire department and county commissioners’ crews are sending personnel and equipment to battle a blaze on a large ranch property south of the Del Rio city limits.
Owens told the 830 Times in a telephone interview this afternoon the fire is located on a large private property known locally as the Moody Ranch, which lies on the banks of the Rio Grande.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we notified the local public school district, because the wind seemed to be blowing the smoke in the direction of the Ruben Chavira Elementary School on U.S. Highway 277 south of Del Rio,” Owens said.
He noted, however, that the wind direction had changed, and smoke rolling toward the elementary campus became less of a concern as the afternoon hours wore on.
Out of an abundance of caution, however, the San Felipe Del Rio CISD ordered an evacuation of the school. A release from the school district said, “Due to a brush fire located approximately 2 miles away from the Ruben Chavira Elementary Campus, the local fire marshal ordered an immediate evacuation of staff and students attending the school. SFDRCISD Chief of Police Jose Faz and Superintendent Dr. Carlos Rios received the order to evacuate as a precautionary measure and to ensure safety for all. Parents were notified through Class Dojo that any student not picked up by 3:15 PM would be transported by bus to nearby Lamar Elementary. Parents are reminded that they can pick up their child at the Lamar gymnasium by as soon as they are able to. Classes are expected to resume normal classes
by tomorrow morning.”
Owens said county fire department crews were responding to fight the fire and that County Commissioner Pct. 2 Juan Carlos Vazquez and County Commissioner Pct. 3 Beau Nettleton were both sending bulldozers and tanker trucks.
One of the fire department trucks being used to respond to the fire is a brand-new brush unit unveiled Tuesday during the county commissioners court meeting.
The fire is located southeast of the Ruben Chavira School and the Del Rio city limits.
Owens said he does not know how the fire started.
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