Cobb Creek Fire: Crews fighting 286-acre fire near Jarrell

JARRELL, Texas - Crews are working to put out a fire in Jarrell.

Williamson County and several agencies are responding to a grass fire that started at 1001 Cobb Creek Road.

As of July 21, around 9:15 p.m., the fire is an estimated 286-acres and is 90 percent contained.

Crews were able to build containment line closer to the fire's edge, which allowed for the decrease in acreage. 

"When temperatures get like this, you know, above 100 and relative humidity is down, it’s really exhausting to work out in this heat," said Sean Dugan, the public information officer for Texas A&M Forest Service.

Fire crews finished day two of battling the Cobb Creek Fire on Thursday.

"They're working on putting a line around the fire with the bulldozers," said Dugan. "We’re hoping that that will be completed at the end of the day."

Helicopters and multiple local fire departments joined the bulldozers at Cobb Creek Road between Florence and Jarrell.

Fire officials said they believe it started because of welding.

"Welding, like this fire, somebody could be fixing a fence or something and some tall dry grass, and that spark could catch, and the wind can take it," said Dugan.

The hot and dry weather makes it easier for a fire to start, and it's hard on the crews sent out to the blaze.

"The main thing we’re worried about with people out on fires like this is heat exhaustion, so we all carry a ton of water, so we do a good job of staying hydrated, but that heat can really get to you," said Dugan.

First responders got more than water on Thursday.

"We got a bunch of ice, a bunch of caffeine, and we’re going to keep these guys in the fight," said Mike Phillips with Seven Oaks Coffee.

With the help of Staccato 2011, Seven Oaks Coffee set up shop to pass out free drinks and snacks to firefighters.

"We’re dealing with its challenges on the truck, so we can’t imagine what they’re dealing with out there," said Phillips.

Fire crews will focus on washing out any parts of the fire still smoldering once it's contained and hope they can make it through the summer without another several hundred-acre grass fire call.

"Be mindful if you’re doing anything just grilling or whatnot that can cause a spark just make sure you put it out before you go inside and just be careful," said Dugan.

Williamson County went under a burn ban on Tuesday, prohibiting burning household trash outside of shrubbery and vegetation.

This is a developing story, refresh for the latest updates