UPDATE: Residents Return Home but the Hilltop Fire Rages On

COLEMAN, TX – A large grass fire broke out on Friday afternoon in near Coleman.

The fire began on US highway 83/84 south of the Old Coleman Highway near County Road 154 and Bell Plains Road. From there, the fire moved northeast of the rest stop on the highway. Firefighters from across the area were called in to battle the fire.

As a result of the fire, northbound lanes of the highway were shut down and the area was evacuated. Crews are asking that the public avoid the area.

The Taylor County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that anyone with animals in the area can take them to the Taylor County Expo Center.

UPDATE:

The Texas A&M Forest Service has been called to the fire. As of 6 p.m. the fire was 200 acres and zero percent contained. 

As of 7 p.m. the fire was 300 acres and was still zero percent contained. The River of Life Church on 83/84 will be open until 9 p.m. as a cooling station.

UPDATE: 

TAYLOR COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Highway 83/84 has been opened. If you were evacuated you may return to your home. If you evacuated animals and you have the ability to leave them in place through the weekend, please do so. The Hilltop Fire is still only 10% contained. You will still see fires in the Hilltop area. No structures are in danger at this time. The Forestry Service and Firefighters will be on scene monitoring the fires. Please do not call 911 to report the fires. Be cautious and be ready to leave at a moments notice should the fires spread.