At 12:30p.m. today a grass fire was called in on North Green Circle off Jeffcote Road. By the time firefighters arrived winds were at 20mph and the fire was quickly spreading. Cut and Shoot Fire Department called for assistance from Caney Creek and North Montgomery County Fire Departments.
Within minutes the fire spread to the airport property and flames ten feet high at times raced toward the runway. Additional trucks were called from Conroe Fire Department, Caney Creek, and Splendora Fire Departments.
The winds then switched and started running parallel with the runway. At that point a third alarm was sounded seeing it was possible to damage or destroy the electronic approach instruments and National Weather Service equipment building.
New Caney, Porter, Caney Creek, Splendora, Lake Conroe, Montgomery, North Montgomery County, Cut and Shoot, Conroe, and now Lake Conroe Fire Departments were fighting to stop the spread of flames. When it went over the fence into the woods the Texas Forest Service also responded. In addition Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador dispatched his water tanker to the airport. The fire was just brought under control approximately 4:30pm.
The Lone Star Airport remains closed to all aircraft as crews work to clear runways of debris and mud.
Trucks were unable to get out to the fire and the ones that did became stuck in the mud. Even with the heavy rains last weekend the grass has still dried.
