300-acre brush fire that sparked evacuations in south Bexar County now 75% contained, officials say

SAN ANTONIO — A brush fire in south Bexar County that led to some evacuations as agencies responded is now about 75% contained, according to officials.

Firefighters initially responded to the 1600 block of Silver Mountain Drive – about 18 miles south of downtown San Antonio – around 2:44 p.m. when an authorized, controlled burn got “out of control” and started spreading quickly to nearby vehicles and homes. A shed has been destroyed by the fire, but no homes. 

One firefighter was treated at the scene for heat exhaustion, but no other injuries have been reported, according to authorities. 

The Texas A&M Forest Service has dubbed the blaze the Silver Mountain Fire. As of 9 p.m., officials said it was 300 acres in size and 50% contained. 

“With the assistance from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and our law enforcement partners, these homes in direct line of the fire spread were evacuated,” said Mark Montgomery, assistant fire chief with Bexar County Emergency Services District 2. 

The Elmendorf City Hall remains open for those needing to shelter. Officials allowed some of the residents to return to their homes just after midnight. However, access remains restricted for residents living in the southern portion of Silver Mountain Drive, as emergency crews continue operations to extinguish the remaining hot spots.

The San Antonio Fire Department said it was also assisting, and responders from Atascosa County were also seen in the area. Rudy Khalaf, division chief with Bexar County ESD 2, said at least 33 units from 10 fire departments in all were on scene, with aerial water drops also working to help contain the Silver Mountain Fire. 

“Wildland personnel will likely be conducting backburns to prevent the fire from spreading to other unaffected areas,” Montgomery said. 

This is a developing story.