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Big Bend Wildfire Leads To Evacuation Of Chisos Basin

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By Kurt Repanshek - April 11th, 2021

The South Rim Fire at Big Bend National Park has grown to cover about 600 acres and led to evacuation of the Chisos Basin/NPS

A wildfire in the backcountry of Big Bend National Park in Texas has prompted the evacuation of the popular Chisos Basin as firefighters were challenged Sunday by warmer and and drier conditions.

While it's not unusual for Big Bend to experience wildfires this early in the year, Superintendent Bob Krumenaker said Sunday that "this one's probably human-caused."

"It's already warm and it's really dry," he added. "But the fire appears to be burning in a mosaic pattern and it may prove to be not very harmful to most of the area. Maybe even beneficial."

The so-called South Rim Fire was spotted Thursday. Initial reports indicated the fire covered about 15 acres, but it since has grown to about 600 acres. On Friday, winds forced the fire to the eastern extent of the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains, where it ran out of fuel. At that point the flames gradually flanked to the north, extending into the upper reaches of Boot Canyon. Firefighters spent much of Friday afternoon preparing to defend the Boot Cabin and corrals.

"The issue now is to be ready in case it spots or backs into the basin where our infrastructure is," the superintendent said Sunday morning. "The fire would have to descend 1,500-2,000 feet to threaten infrastructure, which is unlikely but not impossible and we have to be ready for it. The fire could also spot down below the infrastructure and run upwards (towards it), which is the bigger risk."

South Rim Fire at 10:30 AM on 4-10-21/NPS

South Rim Fire at 10:30 a.m. Saturday/NPS

On Sunday firefighters were working the remaining active areas: Emory/Pinnacles Ridge, and lower Boot Canyon, as well as ensuring park facilities in the basin were clear of fuels and prepped. For visitor safety, the Chisos Basin, including the road, campground, lodge, and trails are closed at this time. The majority of Big Bend's 800,000 acres remain open for hiking, scenic driving, and desert exploration.

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