Example video title will go here for this video

GLEN ROSE, Texas — A wildfire in Somervell County, southwest of Fort Worth, nearly tripled in size overnight from Monday to Tuesday, growing from around 1,200 acres to 4,000 acres just west of Glen Rose, officials said. 

As of Friday afternoon, the fire grew to just over 6,700 acres. 

The Chalk Mountain Fire was 10% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

At least 16 structures had been destroyed in the fire, though a full account of the damage was not yet available. 

The fire was burning north from U.S. 67, southwest of Glen Rose.

Crews were continuing to work on protecting structures in the area and create a containment line.

Stay #wildfireaware today and avoid any outdoor activity that may cause a spark! 🔥 https://t.co/pWvgkIV7xA

Mary Leathers, a spokesperson for the Texas A&M Forest Service, said in a news conference Tuesday that crews planned to fly over the fire later in the day to get a better assessment of its size and where it's burning. 

They'll also get a look at how many, if any, structures have been damaged by the fire. In the meantime, crews are using dozers to create containment lines around the fire, and air tankers will drop retardant and water over the blaze.

Leathers asked the public to avoid the area to allow crews to battle the fire. No injuries have been reported, though Leathers said firefighters are "over-taxed" by the hot conditions. Officials were working to ensure firefighters stay as hydrated as possible; temperatures are expected to again rise into the 100s on Tuesday.

Leathers said the fire is not a threat to the nearby Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant, which sits off the Squaw Creek Reservoir. Leathers said the fire has not reached the area near the plant and that the plant is surrounded by enough asphalt that would protect it from a fire.

Parks near the fire were being evacuated, though summer camps that were being held in the region are south of the fire, officials said.

The Somervell County Fire Department on Monday reported that the fire was happening between Chalk Mountain and Dinosaur Valley Park, which is about 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire had burned an estimated 6,700 acres and is 10% contained, as of Friday, July 22. 

Somervell County also issued a disaster declaration due to the fire.

The Red Cross has opened an overnight shelter at the Somervell County Expo Center for those impacted by the fire.

Of the 16 structures believed to be have been lost in the fire, four of them belong to Beth Key's family on Country Road 1010. 

Her family grabbed everything they could, including family photos, clothing for a few days and as much insulin as she could for her son. 

“My parents lost their house, everything. My uncle lost this house. Another aunt lost everything. And another aunt is still battling out there trying to keep her house," said Key. 

As firefighters, on the ground, and in the air, try to save as much as they can, residents are prepared to evacuate as needed. 

Mike and Bea Herlacher watched with their car loaded and ready to evacuate if necessary.

“We’re ready to go if we need to. We’ll pack it in and go. But we are hopeful that the wind will keep it pushed away from here," said Mike. 

Human and animal evacuees have been utilizing the Somervell Expo Center, where a massive effort to provide food, shelter and clothing to anyone who needs it.

“It’s just terrible, you know?” Chase Barber said. “I don’t know what to say. My whole family’s land is just burned up overnight. Over a matter of a few hours, everything in our lives changed.”

Barber said the Chalk Mountain Fire burned five of his family’s homes and 200 acres of his family’s land.

“It’s destroyed. I mean, it’s gone,” Barber said. “House is gone. No clothes. All our family albums and memories and stuff like that, it’s gone. We can’t get that back.”

Paluxy Baptist Church made care packages to drive out to fire crews, sheriff’s deputies, and anyone who’s too busy to stop working to go find food.

“They’re out there helping people and we need to help people that are helping people as well,” Vanessa Bryant said.

The American Red Cross set up a shelter and food donation site at the Expo Center in Glen Rose. Here are items team members on scene said they are in need of:

Items can be dropped off at the Expo Center at 202 Bo Gibbs Blvd, W. HWY 67, Glen Rose, TX 76043.

Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings.