This story has been updated.
Residents were evacuated from their homes on the South Side of Bexar County Tuesday as fire crews responded to a large wildfire near I-37 and Southton Road.
The Calaveras Fire, which started about 13 miles southeast of downtown around 12:45 p.m., prompted several mandatory evacuation orders from the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management.
City officials said at 7:15 p.m. that residents of the 182 affected homes could return to their residences as there is no further risk to the area.
In an 8:30 p.m. update, officials said based on preliminary reports, the wildfire destroyed a mobile home, two barns, two chicken coops, and one shed.
There are no reported injuries, but Red Cross emergency shelters have been opened in response to the mandatory evacuations in the area.
The blaze was 30% contained as of 8:35 p.m., according to the Texas A&M Forest Service’s map of active fires.
On Wednesday morning, fire crews had contained 85% of the Calveras Fire.
The impacted area includes 60 acres. Satellite images show the area includes an RV park, a housing subdivision and apartment homes.
San Antonio Fire Chief Valerie Frausto said earlier on Tuesday that crews are primarily working to extinguish hot spots right now. Frausto said the day’s strong winds make the situation “unpredictable.”
“Wildfire spreading rapidly in area. EVACUATE immediately,” read the emergency alert sent to mobile devices of people in the affected area.
Duke wildfire erupts in South Bexar County
Another active wildfire called the Duke Fire is burning 50 acres on the county’s far South Side near Duke and Trumbo roads. It was 0% contained as of 4:26 p.m.
As of Wednesday morning, fire crews had contained 35% of the wildfire.
Several stubborn areas of the fire persist north of Duke Road, officials said, and hot spots remain at the Calaveras Fire. Winds are beginning to die down as the San Antonio Fire Department remain onsite addressing the fire.
But the strong winds and wildfires have affected air quality across San Antonio.
According to airnow.gov, air quality in San Antonio is currently unhealthy.
Residents are advised to choose less strenuous activities outdoors to not breathe as hard and shorten the amount of time active outdoors.
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, which is assisting in blocking off areas near the wildfires, has warned residents on its Facebook page to avoid 13400 Block Donop Road near IH-37 S and Southton Road and the 600 block of Duke Road between Trumbo and Pleasanton roads.
Residents should also avoid the 24400 Block of Oliver and Blackjack roads in South Bexar County near U.S. Highway 281 South and Mogford; 15200 Belen Street near Farm-to-Market 1937 and Blue Wing Road; and 13000 Greenwood Road near Pearsall Road and IH-35 South.
At 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, officials said that many of the main roadways have re-opened.
BCSO said in a Facebook post that residents who live along Duke Road and the connecting streets will likely be able to return home in the next few hours.
The National Weather Service said “numerous fires and erratic fire behavior have already been reported” in the Central Texas region. The service’s Storm Prediction Center has raised its fire danger outlook to “extreme,” which means the area is under dangerous, potentially historic fire weather conditions.
A red flag warning is also in effect through 9 p.m. for Bexar and several counties of in the region, meaning strong winds and dry conditions will spread across the region.
Very strong wind gusts and low relative humidity will support the rapid spread and difficult suppression of any wildfires that may ignite.
The NWS said people should avoid outdoor burning, keep vehicles off of dry grass, and properly discard cigarettes.
The Bexar County Emergency Service District set up on Monday two Wildland Fire Strike Teams to respond rapidly to grass fires and wildfires on both the east and west sides of the county. San Antonio Fire Department is also getting help to contain the fire from the Texas Forrest Service and Texas Department of Emergency Management.
San Antonio Independent School District informed its families that its campuses are experiencing power-related issues.
Reporters Sergio Medina, Xochilt Garcia and editor Laura Garcia contributed to this report.
